MENSUR SULJOVIC has slammed Premier League Darts stars for skipping low-key events.
Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Stephen Bunting and Gerwyn Price are not playing in this weekend’s Austrian Darts Open in Graz, a few days after throwing on stage at a Prem night in Leeds.
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Luke Littler has been slammed by Mensur Suljovic Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Suljovic criticised Premier League Darts stars, like Littler, for skipping low-key events Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Yet rather than rest at home, the four are earning decent money from appearances at exhibitions in Middlesbrough, Leicester and Colchester.
Littler, 19, has only played in two of the six EuroTour tournaments this year – though he did win the first one on the calendar, the Poland Darts Open in Krakow.
The leading players in the world are trying to manage busy schedules, especially given the demands of the weekly Premier League circuit, which resumes in Birmingham on Thursday.
But there is a growing trend also to snub the behind-closed-doors Players Championships events in the UK, which are vital for lower-ranked Tour Card holders.
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Suljovic, 54, unleashed a scathing rant after numerous high-profile withdrawals and has urged the PDC, the sport’s governing body, to “come up with something” in response.
He feels the absence of big names is screwing up the world rankings.
Speaking to Darts News, the Austrian slow-coach said: “Players Championships – I don’t like this format. Because of the Premier League, the best players don’t come.
“A new winner every time – unfortunately, this is ruining our rankings. We need a shorter calendar, but the PDC isn’t doing anything about it.
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“Our rankings are suffering because of this. They [top players] have to be there. They absolutely have to be.
“The European Tour is one of the most important tournaments – and the major ones. Now nobody’s coming. What’s the point of all this? What’s the point?
“Players Championships, okay, someone can always withdraw. But not the European Tour. Luke Littler isn’t coming to any tournament. That’s just not right.
“Our ranking is suffering because of this. We play in England and they don’t come to the Players Championships – how is that possible?“I can win it. That can’t happen. It can’t happen.
“In my time, in 2017 and 2018, the top-16 always won. Now things are extreme.
“As a result, our rankings fluctuate – sometimes this player is on top, sometimes that one. I don’t accept that, honestly. The PDC needs to come up with something.”
PDC are “proud to offer a comprehensive global schedule which provides players with a wide range of playing and earning opportunities across the year”.
In response they add: “Ultimately it is up to individual players to decide how they manage their schedules and which events they choose to enter.”
