Mike De Decker has angrily hit out over his omission from the 2025 Premier League Darts line-up. The reigning Grand Prix champion had been heavily tipped to be included this time around, despite his early exit from the World Championship at Ally Pally last month.

But the 29-year-old has instead become the first person in the 20-year history of the tournament not to be selected after winning a major television title the previous year.

Michael Smith and Peter Wright were the two players cut from the 2024 roster, with Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey chosen as their replacements.

But despite languishing in seventh place last time around, Gerwyn Price has dubiously retained his place. And ‘The Real Deal’ hasn’t held back on being overlooked for the latest version, which will incorporate meetings at 16 different venues before finals night takes place at The O2.

PDC chief executive Matt Porter has explained De Decker’s absence, arguing he “wasn’t quite ready” to compete at that level. He also implied the Belgian star needed to compete at the latter end of major tournaments regularly, a view that De Decker vehemently disagrees with.

“I find their decision a bit scandalous, to be honest,” he told Het Nieuwsblad. “Only at the World Championships it didn't work out (for me). S**t and a shame that it happened then, but still. I do feel ready.

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“I didn't think that explanation (from Porter) was fair. After my Grand Prix victory, I said that I might not be ready and I don't regret that. But afterwards I confirmed at other tournaments that I can compete with the world's best.”

De Decker was also scathing over the inclusion of both Price and Nathan Aspinall, arguing that the theory you got into the Premier League because of results was clearly not true. “They did not deserve it,” he ranted.

“Suddenly they reach a quarter-final at the World Championships and they are there. Aspinall is there with his walk-on purely for the entertainment and if Price performs badly in the first few weeks, he will start complaining again.”

De Decker is currently ranked No.24 in the world, and despite his Grand Prix win endured a mixed year of results on both the PDC and European Tour. He was tipped as an outsider for the World Championship, but saw his campaign end tamely in the second round at the hands of Luke Woodhouse.

The likes of Callan Rydz and Damon Heta had also been touted as Premier League contenders, with Porter insisting the “door wasn’t closed” on any player for 2026. The first meeting will take place on Thursday, February 6 at the SSE Arena in Belfast.