Nathan Aspinall has responded to Mike De Decker’s criticisms of the 2025 Premier League line-up.
Mike De Decker became the first player to win a major in front of the Sky cameras to be snubbed from the Premier League and he’s openly criticised the PDC decision-makers.
The Belgian was furious at his omission after winning the World Grand Prix in October and suggested Nathan Aspinall was only there for his walk-on music ‘Mr. Brightside’.
Nathan Aspinall has shared his reaction to being called out by De Decker after squeezing into the Premier League over the star.
- READ MORE: Mike De Decker shares how he ‘immediately’ felt after being snubbed from the Premier League lineup
Nathan Aspinall ‘disappointed’ by Mike De Decker’s comments
Aspinall’s performance in the 2025 World Darts Championship helped him curry favour with PDC bosses as he reached the last eight, bowing out to eventual winner Luke Littler.
The Asp was shocked by De Decker’s comments after being made aware of them by The Metro. The Stockport thrower asked: “Is that what he’s said?’
“I haven’t seen it because I’ve come off social media, I still have my accounts there but I’m not on it because the abuse was getting ridiculous.”
After the initial shock of hearing the comments, Aspinall turned on the fighting talk and began to suggest he deserved his place more than De Decker.
He said: “I’m disappointed he’s said that because I get on with Mike, but if he wants to be in then get higher up the rankings.
“He can count himself unlucky because he’s won a big major, but he’s ranked 24 in the world and went out early in the Worlds.
“There were a lot of people in contention but no one really stood out. I thought I was 50-50 to get in. I’m buzzing to be the one to get the call and looking forward to get going.”
Aspinall will appear in the Premier League for the third year in a row after finishing fourth in 2024 and third in 2023.
Nathan Aspinall fires back at World Darts Championship critics
Aspinall’s run to the quarterfinals was impressive for The Asp after a difficult year was derailed by injury.
The 33-year-old failed to win a tournament in 2024, but he started the new year well and will be looking to capitalise on that momentum.
After coming off social media due to online trolls, The Asp has fired back at criticisms of his performance at Alexandra Palace.
In the same interview with The Metro, Aspinall said: “People seemed to be slating me throughout saying I was playing rubbish.
“Yeah people were playing pretty badly against me but that’s not my fault. Averaging 94 when the person you’re playing is averaging 77 is hard!”
Aspinall has been confirmed for the Bahrain Darts Masters alongside Littler, Luke Humphries, and Michael van Gerwen, which begins on January 16.