The 2025 Premier League line-up had a few shocking omissions, but none more so than Mike De Decker.
The Belgian star won his first-ever PDC major tournament at the World Grand Prix in 2024, but still couldn’t squeeze into the eight picked for the Premier League.
Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Nathan Aspinall, Chris Dobey, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, and Stephen Bunting were picked for the touring tournament, which meant the Belgian made history with his snub.
Mike De Decker became the first-ever player to win a major in front of the Sky cameras not to be selected for the tournament and he’s made his feelings clear in a brand-new interview.
Mike De Decker is in ‘disbelief’ over Premier League omission
In addition to his maiden major win, the World No. 24 also won his first Pro Tour event at Players Championship 16 and reached the quarterfinals of the Players Championship Finals, but it wasn’t enough for the Premier League.
De Decker has expressed shock at missing out on the Premier League after his World Grand Prix win. Speaking to Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad Sport, The Real Deal said: “My first feeling immediately after the announcement was one of disbelief.
“Especially because you had the history. The past twenty years, the Grand Prix winner was there every time. I clean up that game there, but I am skipped. That is sour.”
De Decker defeated Gary Anderson, James Wade, Dimitri van Den Bergh, and Humphries to secure his first-ever major title and he felt sure it would be enough for the Premier League.
De Decker is diplomatic about his Premier League snub, but it’s made him no less angry about the situation.
He continued: “Of course I can’t change anything about it, the PDC is boss. But I think their decision, to be honest, is a bit scandalous.
De Decker crashed out in the second round of the World Darts Championship to Luke Woodhouse.
Mike De Decker takes to Instagram to vent
De Decker’s interview with Nieuwsblad Sport was not the only reaction to his Premier League snubbing from the PDC.
The Belgian also shared a frustrated emoji to his Instagram Stories of a post on X about his unfortunate record as the only Sky Sports major winner to not make it into the competition.
De Decker should next be in action at the re-brand of the Winmau World Masters which begin on January 30.