OPINION: Darts has one more drawback with the Premier League format.
Luke Littler benefitted from this absurd Premier League rule (Picture: Getty)
It was quieter than normal on evening three of the Premier League. Not as a result of Gerwyn Worth’s early exit meant there have been fewer oos and arrs than normal. Quite, as a result of there have been solely six matches as an alternative of the same old seven.
Michael van Gerwen was compelled to withdraw from the competitors on the eleventh hour via sickness, which means Luke Littler was given a bye into the semi-finals. All of it occurred pretty shortly, with experiences of Van Gerwen’s sickness breaking on Wednesday night, earlier than his withdrawal was confirmed on Thursday morning.
Learn extra: Littler’s grievance with PDC compelled to behave as Premier League darts crowd warned
Truthful sufficient, life goes on. However why did that imply solely six video games needed to occur? Tickets to the Premier League aren’t low cost, and whereas it could range on the venue, followers usually pay round £40-£60 for admission. To not point out the absurd food and drinks costs venues cost these days, and it’s simple to see how an evening on the darts provides up cost-wise. All of that for one of many matches to not even happen…
The shortage of a contingency plan with regards to filling the additional slot reeks of idleness from the occasion organisers. Granted, there could also be some logistical limitations to find a substitute participant, however a few telephone calls right here and there may’ve performed the job.
Even when it was an beginner participant from a neighborhood membership, simply any person to fill the hole and provides the followers an additional alternative to see some darts, it might in all probability be extra fascinating than what feels just like the millionth instalment of MVG vs Littler . You may nonetheless give the opposite participant (on this state of affairs, Littler) a bye to the semi-finals, however stripping the supporters of the quantity of motion they get to see seems like an enormous flaw within the format.
Failing that, give out a fortunate loser spot from the opposite three quarter-finals, awarded to the participant who wins probably the most legs, or has the most effective common. Simply one thing. Something. The followers paid for seven matches, so give them that!
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It’s simply one other nail within the coffin for the present Premier League format, which piqued curiosity in 2022 when it was launched, however has grown very stale, in a short time. The Premier League is larger than ever, so it’s excessive time it began appearing prefer it.
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