Van Gerwen critical of PDC after positive COVID-19 test at World Darts Championship: "They should check everyone at the door every day, they didn't"

Michael van Gerwen was forced to withdraw from the World Darts Championship on Tuesday. Following fellow countryman Vincent van der Voort, Mighty Mike also delivered a positive COVID-19 test.

This means that Van Gerwen has been eliminated from the tournament, just like Van der Voort. "A big negative. The biggest nightmare you can imagine'', says the triple world champion in a first reaction to AD Sportwereld.

The two Dutchmen are now both in quarantine at the players' hotel in London's Hilton Islington.

"Of course our health is the most important thing, but you're here to win the tournament'', Van Gerwen continues. ''We get to sit here together now, but we had imagined this very differently. Again, this is really the biggest nightmare.''

According to Van Gerwen, his family reacted very sadly to the terrible news. "Yes, they are all sad too. They know what I have done for them. That it has to end like this, unbelievable."

The 32-year-old says he has been extremely careful to avoid a possible infection. ''Vincent and I didn't even go to the breakfast room, because we thought it was too crowded there.''

Van Gerwen did dine with Van der Voort and compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode at his manager's house on Christmas Eve. ''We were all tested negative. I test myself here every day. I don't know where I caught it.''

The World Number Three closed with a critical note to PDC, the organiser of the World Darts Championship. "They should check everyone at the door every day, they didn't do it. According to the British government they don't have to. But to protect your own organisation and the World Championship, it would have been handy. The PDC will always say they followed the rules of the government, but they could have looked at it more closely. It's as leaky as a sieve now I pay a high price. I didn't do anything, that makes it even more sour. It's just awful. It's going to take a while to come to terms with this'', says Van Gerwen.