“It was a good idea but unfair to the players that are playing the challengers” – Gerwyn Price not in favour of 'challengers' replacing absent players in Premier League

The debate over the format of the Premier League Darts has flared up again after the events in Dublin. Gian van Veen’s withdrawal due to kidney stones meant a quarterfinal disappeared entirely, reigniting calls for alternative solutions such as the return of 'challengers.'

For Gerwyn Price, however, that is not an option. The Welshman, who convincingly beat Van Veen 6-1 a week later in Berlin, is firmly against reinstating the system. “I think that would be totally unfair,” Price stated in a media scrum. "When you had the challengers, it was a good idea but unfair to the players that are playing the challengers.”

According to Price, the problem lies mainly in the randomness of opponents. While one player might face an elite world-class rival, another could get someone of a lower level. “Every player is a different standard, and one person could play Fallon Sherrock, someone could play Chris Dobey, someone could play Luke Humphries, like I did," Price explained.

The former world champion admits the current format has its flaws, but he does not see challengers as the answer. “If they miss a week, somebody gets gifted points, which is a little bit unfair but I’m not sure what they’re going to do about it.”

Mark Webster, a former BDO world champion, also sees no easy way out. In his view, any possible adjustment brings new issues.

“I get the idea, but I just don’t know how you do it," said Webster. “Who you get and obviously the players are going to be of a different level to say Gian [when he pulled out in Dublin]. It’s not an equal contest anyway so it’s tricky.”

The analyst points out that the issue has influenced the competition before. “It happened last year and it’s happened a couple of times this year and it could be pivotal come the Play-Offs, so you don’t know how it’s going to pan out.”

Webster also emphasises that players themselves are not keen on a replacement when they receive a bye. “In an ideal scenario, you want to see all the players play in the opening quarter-finals and if you get a reserve in it does get that player fine-tuned,” he said. “There’s an argument some people say the player would rather play but that’s rubbish."