Nathan Aspinall has refuted Mike De Decker’s claim that he didn’t deserve to be selected for the Premier League of darts.
De Decker slammed the decision not to include him in the forthcoming eight-man tournament, which was won last year by new world champion Luke Littler, suggesting Aspinall only made the line-up because of his popular walk-on song.
There was much debate over the Premier League selection this year, with a number of players vying for a quartet of wildcard spots. De Decker was another player in contention after his shock win at the World Grand Prix last year catapulted him into the argument for inclusion.
However, the 29-year-old did not get the nod, with Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price, Chris Dobey and Aspinall picked alongside the top-four automatic picks of Luke Humphries, Littler, Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross.
The snub infuriated De Decker, who let fly at the PDC and singled out Aspinall and Gerwyn Price as unworthy inclusions.
“I find their decision a bit scandalous to be honest. I didn’t think that (the PDC’s) explanation was fair,” De Decker told Belgian news outlet Het Niewsblad. “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.”
He added: “They (Aspinall and Price) 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,” he fumed.
Aspinall countered the criticism by telling Metro: “I haven’t seen it (De Decker’s statement) because I’ve come off social media. I’m disappointed he’s said that because I get on with Mike, but if he wants to be in then get higher up the rankings.
“He can count himself unlucky because he’s won a big major, but he’s ranked 24 in the world and went out early in the Worlds. There were a lot of people in contention but no one really stood out. I thought I was 50-50 to get in. I’m buzzing to be the one to get the call and looking forward to get going.”
