Latvia replace China at World Cup of Darts after late travel issues

Latvia will replace China at the World Cup of Darts in a late replacement due to travel issues for the latter team.

The Chinese pairing of Di Zhuang and Zizhao Zheng were set to make their World Cup debut this weekend with a tie against Kai Fan Leung and Royden Lam for Hong Kong in their sights.

But despite receiving valid visas and providing negative tests which allowed them to travel, an administrative technicality relating to their connecting flight, they couldn't get to Austria and compete in the World Cup.

They will be replaced by the duo of PDC Tour Card holder Madars Razma and Janis Mustafejevs who is the next-ranked Latvian from the PDC Nordic and Baltic rankings.

PDC Chief Executive, Matt Porter said about the replacement: "We're very disappointed that the Chinese team has been unable to make it to Salzburg."

"The two players and their management worked extremely hard to adhere to all the additional requirements that are needed for international travel at this time, flying domestically to obtain the required visa to enter Austria which they obtained only on Thursday after several weeks of paperwork submissions, and incurring significant personal cost in the process.

"They were denied boarding at Guangzhou airport on Friday morning local time on a minor administrative technicality which unfortunately there is no time for them to rectify if they were to be able to make it to Austria at any time on Friday.

"We thank the Latvian pairing for their willingness to be on stand-by until the last minute and look forward to welcoming them to the event."