Nathan Aspinall was a contentious choice for the Premier League Darts. (Image: Getty.)
world No. 6 Dave Chisnall has singled out and over their surprise inclusions, insisting that “it should be about the darts”.
He waded into the ongoing row after , having become the first player in the history to win a major televised event and not be selected for the competition.
The reigning World Grand Prix champion described his omission as “scandalous” and “sour” before calling for a rule change that would have picked himself over Aspinall or Price.
De Decker claimed that Aspinall “is in it purely for the entertainment” and Chisnall believes that the Belgian star has a right to feel aggrieved.
“The line-up was hardly surprising this week, but you’d have to be gutted if you were someone like a Mike De Decker or Damon Heta,” Chisnall wrote for Kwiff.
“I never expected to get a phone call – despite being World Number 6 – because of how poor I’ve been on TV this year, but Mike can feel let down after his great run at The Grand Prix. Maybe being number 24 in the world counted against him, but these young lads are all chomping at the bit to be given a chance to shine.
Dave Chisnall has given his view on the 2025 line-up. (Image: Getty)
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“Damo is another who I think can feel unlucky, whilst it’s good to see Chris Dobey and rewarded with a spot. It seems like something of a changing of the guard with no and no , whilst Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price can both feel a bit lucky in my opinion to be involved this year.”
Both Aspinall and Price were in last year’s , finishing fifth and seventh respectively, and have endured difficult years on the oche while some of their rivals shone.
And Chisnall believes that Aspinall’s walk-on song ‘Mr Brightside’ may have played a significant role in the world No. 11 being chosen above his competitors, as he gets the crowd off their feet in jubilation each time he enters the stage.
“Gezzy [Price] has had a lot going and struggled in 2024, whilst Nathan has done similarly,” Chisnall added. “His run to the quarter-finals of the Worlds probably got him involved, that and everyone loving his Mr Brightside theme song.
“It’s a great entrance, but it should be about the darts, and not your walk-on that gets you involved in these big competition. Nothing against them personally, as both great lads and get on well with, but it should be about your actions on the dartboard, not on a song and a dance.”