Darts star Nathan Aspinall has called for two players to be kicked out of the Premier League darts competition if they can’t be bothered to participate.
17-year-old Luke Littler won the tournament on his debut in 2024, avenging his defeat to Luke Humphries in the World Darts Championship final to collect a whopping £275,000 cash prize.
Littler, who hit a nine-darter in the final, became the youngest player to win a major PDC competition with his triumph.
Aspinall, who has eight senior PDC titles to his name, finished fifth out of eight last time out but as he is currently 12th in the world rankings, could end up missing out on a spot for the 2025 showpiece.
In order to qualify, ‘The Asp’ is in need of a strong showing at the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. But Aspinall takes issue with former world champions Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson having reservations about competing and believes inclusion should be based off passion and enthusiasm for the showpiece.
“You know what, it really grates on me (players saying they don’t want to play in the Premier League),” Aspinall told Online Darts, via the Daily Mail.
“Really good mates with Gary Anderson, really good mates with Gerwyn Price, but if they don’t want it, don’t give it to them whether they deserve it or not.
“Why should they get that spot when people like myself, okay I’ve had a bad year and I don’t deserve it, but I want it and I will bring something.
“I will give 110 per cent every single night on that stage. If they can’t be arsed, why put them in? I just don’t get it. I don’t even know why the PDC would consider it.
“If they put them in it looks bad on the PDC in my opinion.”
Nathan Aspinall is currently ranked 12th in the world. Image: Getty
Price said he was “not sure” about participating before changing his tune, while Anderson appeared to suggest he would turn down an invite after saying, “Premier League, you know, what I think, I’m at the age now where I’ve done it, got the t-shirt, thank you very much but no.”
The 2025 edition gets underway on February 6 in Belfast and concludes with the play-offs on May 29 at the O2 arena in London.