‘I’m disappointed because I get on with him’ – Aspinall hurt after darts pal calls Premier League selection ‘scandalous’
NATHAN ASPINALL has hit back at Mike De Decker after he claimed he only got in the Premier League because of a good walk-on song.
The ex-World Matchplay champ reacted to the Belgian lashing out over being left out of the prestigious 17-week tournament.
De Decker said that Aspinall was only picked by the PDC “purely for entertainment” and that his Mr Brightside entrance tune made him box office.
The Asp, 33, quickly dismissed De Decker’s comments and told him to improve his world ranking if he wanted to reach the big time.
He told The Metro: “Is that what he’s said? I haven’t seen it because I’ve come off social media.
“I still have my account 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 24th in the world and went out early in the Worlds.”
After winning his first major last October, De Decker appeared to be in line for a Prem spot.
But he becomes the first Grand Prix winner to miss out on a spot in two decades.
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His exit from the World Championship at the first hurdle to Luke Woodhouse last month most certainly sealed his fate.
De Decker also hit out at Gerwyn Price’s inclusion after he had earlier stated last year he didn’t want to be in the Premier League, which he later did a U-turn on.
He said: “I don’t get it at all, especially Aspinall and Price. They didn’t deserve it.
“And then they reach a quarter-final at the World Championship and suddenly they’re there.
“If Price throws badly for two out of the first three weeks, he’ll post something on Instagram again and start complaining. But they’ll stick him in again.
“For the past 20 years, the World 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.”
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