Nathan Aspinall has hit back at Mike De Decker after he described the PDC's decision to leave him out of the Premier League line-up for 2025 as "scandalous".
Earlier this week, De Decker made history by becoming the first player to win a major televised event on Sky Sports and not be selected for the Premier League.
Instead, the final four spots were handed to Nathan Aspinall, Stephen Bunting, Chris Dobey and Gerwyn Price, who joined Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross in the line-up.
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De Decker, who lifted the World Grand Prix in October following a 6-4 win over Luke Humphries, has since made his feelings clear after being overlooked by PDC chiefs.
"My first feeling immediately after the announcement was one of disbelief," he told Het Nieuwsblad. "The past 20 years, the Grand Prix winner was there every time.
"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."
De Decker went on to suggest that World Championship quarter-finalist Nathan Aspinall was only included because of his walk-on song Mr Brightside by The Killers.
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"They did not deserve it. Suddenly they reach a quarter-final at the World Championships and they are there," the 29-year-old added.
"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.
"They say that you get into the Premier League based on results, but apparently that is not the case.
"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.
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"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."
He added: "I also have a good walk-on. At almost every tournament these days they sing along to my song. Everyone loved it at the World Cup too."
Now, a disappointed Aspinall has since responded to De Decker's comments in an interview with Metro – and he's given the world number 24 some words of advice.
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"Is that what he’s said?" Aspinall told the publication. "I haven’t seen it because I’ve come off social media, I still have my accounts there but I’m not on it because the abuse was getting ridiculous.
"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."
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After the line-up was announced, PDC chief executive Matthew Porter gave an insight into the decision to snub De Decker, despite his World Grand Prix victory.
"Mike [De Decker] is an outstanding talent and is someone that undoubtedly we will see in Premier League Darts in the future,” Porter said. “We didn't feel he was quite ready. There's a lot of tournaments throughout the year and winning one.
“We've seen players in the past I don't want to embarass [them] by naming them but players like Danny Noppert, Ross Smith and Andrew Gilding that have won TV tournaments.
“But you have to show that you can compete in the latter stages of TV tournaments on a regular basis. 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."
Thoughts on the decision? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Darts, World Darts Championship
Jack Kenmare