PDC slammed over Players Championship tournament as darts stars launch complaints after shock result

The PDC have been slammed over conditions at the Players Championship events in the Netherlands.

Players Championship 3 and 4 are taking place in Rosmalen, Netherlands this week behind closed doors.

The first event took place on Monday and was won by Chris Dobey, who defeated Jelle Klaasen 8-4 in the final.

Luke Littler has not entered either event after choosing not to travel amid a busy schedule, with world number one Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson also opting out of competing.

A number of eligible players from the Challenge Tour have also decided not to travel. Beau Greaves tops the Challenge Tour rankings so would have been able to play in Rosmalen, but has elected not to play after competing in four Women's Series events over the weekend.

But some of the players who have travelled have been critical of the PDC due to conditions at the venue.

The 2017 World Grand Prix winner and former top 16 player Daryl Gurney took to Facebook to write: "Really disappointed with the playing conditions today in Rosmalen.

"The venue is freezing, and no consideration of the location for players. A bad decision on the PDC's behalf and the players deserve better!!!"

Image: Facebook/Daryl Gurney

Former PDC star Vincent van der Voort, meanwhile, said (via Sportnieuws.nl): "It wasn't smart [playing at the venue].

"It's a very large hall with only sixteen boards in it, and no-one else. Of course it never gets warm, everyone knows that. Except the PDC.

"I keep being amazed by that. It's organised by people who have done it more than 100 times."

It was also a nightmare day for three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen - although for a different reason.

Having skipped the first two Players Championship events in Wigan, Van Gerwen did enter Monday's tournament but lost in the first round to Irish amateur player Michael Flynn.

Flynn, a social care worker from Limerick, was entered in as a late replacement after several tour card holders withdrew. The 32-year-old is currently placed 11th in the Challenge Tour rankings, which are used as a top-up list in the event of tour card holders not entering.

Michael van Gerwen lost his first round match at PC3 (Image: Getty)

He averaged 92.41 in the win over Van Gerwen, before losing to Polish player Tytus Kanik in the second round.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "MVG wasn't the name you want to see as your first opponent - you'd hope for an easier game.

"I knew my form was good coming into the tournament, but to beat a three-time world champion is a massive moment in my career.

"It kind of opened my eyes to the professional circuit, the standard you have to be at from the off if you want to get a win."