‘I would’ve took it’ – Nathan Aspinall calls for new Premier League Darts rule that would have stopped him qualifying

NATHAN ASPINALL has called for a daze alteration to the Premier League Darts rulebook - adjacent though it would spot him NOT play.

The Asp, 33, was controversially named successful the eight-strong enactment up for the 2025 tournament, starring to an outcry from a conception of fans.

Current rules spot the apical 4 players successful the satellite - based connected Order of Merit - suffice alongside 4 wildcards.

Luke Humphries, Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, and Rob Cross earned the apical 4 spots, with Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price, Chris Dobey and Aspinall handed the last 4 spots - arsenic erstwhile champion Michael Smith and Peter Wright missed out.

Mike De Decker - contempt being the satellite No24 - was the most-vocal successful venting his frustration, having won the World Grand Prix successful October.

There were adjacent suggestions Aspinall lone landed his spot due to the fact that fans emotion his Mr Brightside walk-on tune.

And Aspinall - who has been precise unfastened with his disappointment astatine the absorption - has a solution to hole the Premier League problem, adjacent if it's to his detriment.

Aspinall explained:" If it was down to me, I'd marque it [the Premier League] the apical 8 successful the satellite to prevention each the worldly that I've been through.

"The disappointment from Mike de Decker, who is satellite No 24... to prevention each that 'is helium successful oregon is helium not?'

"Top eight, done.

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"That's what I would do. I would've missed retired connected this year, but I would've took it.

"In my opinion, if they made it apical 8 oregon if they made it 10 players, past determination is nary arguing is there?"

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However, Aspinall did uncover his excitement to beryllium involved, concluding: "But it's not that, and I'm buzzing that I'm here."

The Asp besides revealed helium would propulsion for different tweak to the tournament... starting it LATER in the year.

Speaking up of past night's play opener successful Belfast, Aspinall explained: "I deliberation for me, if I could honestly marque a decision, I'd similar it to spell backmost a month.

"Starting it successful the archetypal week of March gives maine [the accidental to] get a fewer Pro Tours nether my belt, get that winning feeling a spot more.

"Obviously I've won a fewer games this twelvemonth since Bahrain but trying to play more, get a fewer much games nether my belt, a spot much clip connected the signifier board.

"I haven't had overmuch clip to signifier due to the fact that I missed 2 weeks beauteous overmuch due to the fact that of a sound connected my elbow, but I travel live successful the Premier League, playing week successful and week out.

"I've already said I'm committing to the circuit this year, truthful what amended mode to commencement Thursday nighttime by beating the satellite No1, perchance 2 oregon 3 successful the world, and past spell triumph successful week one?

"That would beryllium a large connection and large assurance boost."

Aspinall mislaid his tourney opener 6-2 to satellite No1 Humphries - who would spell connected to clinch the archetypal nighttime triumph of the 2025 season, beating Dobey successful the final.

Elsewhere, Littler mislaid his archetypal match successful a thrilling 6-5 crippled against Van Gerwen - but was hailed for his astonishing gesture.