Darts Star Expresses Disappointment over Premier League Snub Following Gerwyn Price Decision
By Kieran King, Football Writer
Mike De Decker, the Belgian darts player, has recently spoken out about his disappointment at not being included in the 2025 Premier League Darts line-up. Despite his victory at the World Grand Prix in October, the PDC decided to omit De Decker from the 17-week event. The 29-year-old player secured his first major title at The Mattioli Arena in Leicester by defeating top players like Damon Heta, Gary Anderson, and James Wade. He continued his success by progressing past the group phase in the Grand Slam and reaching the quarter-finals at the Players Championship. However, his underwhelming performance at the World Championship, where he was eliminated in the second round by Luke Woodhouse, led to his exclusion from the Premier League.
De Decker’s absence from the line-up is a significant upset for him, especially considering his recent achievements. He took to social media to express his feelings, particularly after it was highlighted that he is the first player in the history of the Premier League to win a major televised on Sky Sports and not be selected. Meanwhile, Welsh player Gerwyn Price, known as ‘The Iceman,’ made the cut for this year’s Premier League despite some ups and downs in his career. Price managed to reach the quarter-finals at the recent World Championship before bowing out to Chris Dobey. Despite his drop in world ranking, Price’s performances were still enough to secure his place in the prestigious tournament.
The Premier League Darts is set to commence at The SSE Arena in Belfast on Thursday, February 6, and conclude at The O2 in London on Thursday, May 29. Price will have the opportunity to showcase his skills at his home event, scheduled to take place at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff on Thursday, March 20. The selection of players for the Premier League includes Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Stephen Bunting, Chris Dobey, Nathan Aspinall, and Gerwyn Price. With Price being the only Welsh representative in the line-up, fans are eager to see him perform on the big stage.
Despite the disappointment of being left out, De Decker remains focused on his career and is determined to bounce back stronger. His exclusion from the Premier League serves as motivation for him to continue working hard and improving his game. As the darting world gears up for another thrilling season, the absence of De Decker in the line-up adds an element of surprise and raises questions about the selection process. Nevertheless, fans can look forward to witnessing top-quality darts action as some of the best players in the world compete for glory in the upcoming Premier League tournament.