Darts star Mike De Decker, who currently holds the World Grand Prix title, has missed out on a Premier League spot – and he isn’t happy about it one bit
Mike De Decker has slammed the decision to snub him for a spot in the 2025 Premier League of Darts lineup.
The Belgian ace became the first star to miss out on a Premier League spot despite winning a televised major. The 29-year-old won the Grand Prix in October after beating Luke Humphries 6-4, pocketing him £120k in prize money.
However he was snubbed by the PDC, with Humphries, Luke Littler, Nathan Aspinall, Stephen Bunting, Chris Dobey, Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross given the nod.
After the news broke that he wouldn’t be included in the prestigious competition, De Decker fought back, and he fought back hard.
He told Het Nieuwsblad: ” I find their decision a bit scandalous, to be honest. I didn’t think that [the PDC’s] explanation was fair. After my Grand Prix victory, I said that I might not be ready and I don’t regret that. But afterwards I confirmed at other tournaments that I can compete with the world’s best.
“Only at the World Championships it didn’t work out. S*** and a shame that it happened then, but still. I do feel ready.”
He added, going in on Aspinall and Price: “They did not deserve it. Suddenly they reach a quarter-final at the World Championships and they are there.
“Aspinall is there with his walk-on purely for the entertainment and if Price performs badly in the first few weeks, he will start complaining again. They say that you get into the Premier League based on results, but apparently that is not the case.”
This wasn’t the first time De Decker had shown his distaste in the decision. He had already posted an Instagram story with a rolled-eye emoji regarding a statement that said he is the first televised major winner to miss out.
He also took to social media to share the simple statement: “Once I don’t gave AF, there’s literally nothing you can do about it.”
The top four players on the PDC Order of Merit automatically qualify for the competition. The next four are joined on wildcards. PDC chief Matt Porter did explain his decision regarding De Decker on Sky Sports.
He said: “Mike is an outstanding talent and is someone that undoubtedly we will see in Premier League Darts in the future. We didn’t feel he was quite ready. There’s a lot of tournaments throughout the year.
“We’ve seen players in the past, I don’t want to embarrass by naming them, but players like Danny Noppert, Ross Smith and Andrew Gilding that have won TV tournaments. But you have to show that you can compete in the latter stages of TV tournaments on a regular basis.
“Doing it once is fantastic and is something that you will always have but to really be part of the elite, you have to be doing it on a regular basis over multiple years.”