A threat to Nathan Aspinall from PDC boss? Vincent van der Voort asks: “Can we basically rule out the Premier League?”

Vincent van der Voort has reacted with some surprise to recent comments from Barry Hearn. The former professional heard the ex-PDC chairman warn in an interview with Online Darts that players who regularly skip tournaments should not automatically expect invitations for the World Series of Darts.

In the podcast Darts Draait Door, Van der Voort questioned that message. According to the Dutchman, Hearn’s remark effectively amounted to a veiled warning to part of the field.

“He’s threatening them all as well. Not directly, but between the lines he’s just saying it,” said Van der Voort. “At one point he says: if you pull out of tournaments too often, don’t expect to be invited to the World Series.” For Van der Voort, the underlying message is clear. “What he really means is: you have to show up.”

At the same time, the former UK Open finalist wonders to what extent such a rule would be applied equally to every player. He cites Luke Littler. Van der Voort believes the PDC will not pass over the biggest crowd-pullers when they are available for a World Series event. “If Littler wants to play, he’ll just play,” said Van der Voort. “So it doesn’t apply to the people who sell the tickets.”

According to Van der Voort, the warning therefore mainly lands with players outside the absolute elite. “It doesn’t apply to the top five, but to the rest. But of course he can’t say that.”

That is exactly what irks the Dutchman. “Then he’s there acting tough: hang on, if you don’t play enough, you won’t be in the World Series. So he’s telling all those other players: you have to play everything, or you just won’t get invited anymore.”

Van der Voort cites Nathan Aspinall as an example. According to him, ‘The Asp’ has reached a position where he should normally have the freedom to skip a tournament now and then.

“There are plenty of players like Aspinall. He’s in a position where he can cancel here and there,” said Van der Voort. “But he’s basically just been told by Barry Hearn: you’re not in anymore. You can forget it.”

Van der Voort then extends the point, with a hefty dose of cynicism, to the Premier League. “Now we have to see how credible that is. For next year’s Premier League, for example. So we can actually put a line through Aspinall already. A line through the Premier League, according to Barry Hearn.”