The Darts star steps into the Premier League squad as Aspinall takes aim at | Other

World number six darts Dave Chisnall singled out Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price over their surprise Premier League participation, insisting it “should be about darts”.

He waded into the ongoing row after Mike De Decker launched a scathing attack on his 2025 picks, becoming the first player in history to win a major Sky Sports televised event without being selected for the competition.

The reigning World Grand Prix champion described his negligence as “outrageous” and “sour” and called for a rule change that would put him above Aspinall or Price.

De Decker stated that Aspinall is “purely in it for entertainment” and Chisnall believes the Belgian star has the right to feel aggrieved.

” First league lineup was nothing surprising this week, but you’d have to be gutted if you were someone like Mike De Decker or Damon Heta,” Chisnall wrote for Kwiff.

“I never expected to get the call – even though I was number 6 in the world – because of how poorly I performed on TV this year, but Mike may feel let down by his great performance in the Grand Prix. Perhaps being number 24 in the world will go against him, but these young boys can’t wait to get their chance to shine.

“Damo is another player who I think may be unlucky, although it’s nice to see Chris Dobey and Stephen Bunting rewarded with a place. “It looks like something of a changing of the guard without Michael Smith and Peter Wright, while Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price can, I think, feel a bit lucky to have taken part this year.”

Both Aspinall and Price were present last year First leaguefinishing fifth and seventh respectively, and also endured difficult years on oche while some of their rivals shone.

Chisnall believes that Aspinall’s song “Mr Brightside” may have played a significant role in being voted No. 11 in the world over his competitors, as he brings the audience to their feet every time he takes to the stage.

“Gezzy (Price) struggled a lot in 2024, while Nathan did similarly,” Chisnall added. “His run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup probably got him hooked and everyone loved his theme song Mr Brightside.

“It’s a great entry, but it should be about darts, not your walk that gets you into these big competitions. Personally, I have nothing against them as they are both great guys and get along well, but it should be about your actions on the dial, not the song and dance.