Belgian Star De Decker Criticizes Premier League Selection

World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker has slammed the Premier League Darts selection process, claiming he was unfairly overlooked for the 2025 lineup.

Mike De Decker has expressed his outrage and disappointment at being left out of the 2025 Premier League Darts lineup, labeling the decision “scandalous”. The 29-year-old Belgian darts player was widely expected to secure a spot in the prestigious eight-player tournament.

De Decker, the reigning World Grand Prix champion, has directed his frustration at the inclusion of Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price in the lineup, suggesting that they do not deserve their spots ahead of him.

Mike De Decker's omission from the 2025 Premier League Darts lineup has made history, albeit for the wrong reasons. The Belgian became the first player in the competition's 20-year history to miss out on selection after winning a major televised title.

De Decker's exclusion has left him feeling angry and disbelieving. “My first feeling immediately after the announcement was one of disbelief,” De Decker told Het Nieuwsblad. He pointed out the precedent set by previous Grand Prix winners, highlighting the unusual nature of the decision. “The past 20 years, the Grand Prix winner was there every time.” De Decker acknowledged that the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has the final say, but he couldn't help but express his disappointment and frustration. “Of course, I can't change anything about it, the PDC is boss. But I think their decision, to be honest, is a bit scandalous.”

Mike De Decker has criticized the selection of Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price for the 2025 Premier League Darts lineup, questioning their deservingness of a spot. De Decker specifically targeted Aspinall, suggesting that his popular walk-on song, 'Mr Brightside' by The Killers, played a significant role in his selection. “They did not deserve it. Suddenly they reach a quarter-final at the World Championships and they are there,” he said, expressing his disappointment and frustration.

De Decker reflected on his own performance, referencing his Grand Prix victory and subsequent confirmation of his ability to compete with the world's best at other tournaments. “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.” De Decker argued that the selection process for the Premier League appears to be inconsistent, contradicting the claim that results are the primary factor. “They say that you get into the Premier League based on results, but apparently that is not the case.”

Mike De Decker continued to express his disappointment and frustration with the Premier League Darts lineup selection. He questioned the inclusion of Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price, suggesting that they were chosen for entertainment value rather than their darts prowess. “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,” De Decker said. He also implied that the tournament had become more focused on entertainment than competition. “It just has to be fun for the audience, be clear about that. You now get a glorious exhibition tournament of 17 weeks, nothing more.”

"Their decision, to be honest, is a bit scandalous" 🗣️

Mike De Decker has his say after being omitted from the Premier League of Darts line-up 🎯 pic.twitter.com/JYkfhxcZtj

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) January 9, 2025

The Professional Darts Corporation's (PDC) chief executive, Matt Porter, responded to De Decker's criticism by explaining that the decision to exclude him was based on his lack of consistency. Porter challenged De Decker to perform more consistently and reach the latter stages of events on a regular basis. “You have to show that you can compete in the latter stages of TV tournaments on a regular basis,” Porter explained. He emphasized that winning a single tournament, while impressive, is not enough to secure a spot among the elite players. “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.”