Aspinall could be axed from Premier League after Hearn warning

NATHAN ASPINALL has been warned he could be SNUBBED from next year’s Premier League.

The world No16 was left out of the weekly roadshow for the first time since 2022 but has bounced back by winning the German Darts Grand Prix and reaching a ProTour final.

However, Aspinall, 35, has featured in just eight Players Championship events this year and withdrawn from three European Tour events.

PDC president Barry Hearn hinted that players who regularly skip tournaments should not automatically expect World Series call-ups.

Former pro Vincent van der Voort believes that could count against The Asp when the line-up for invitational events are decided.

He told the Darts Draait Door podcast: “There are plenty of players like Aspinall. He’s in a position where he can cancel here and there.

“But he’s basically just been told by Barry Hearn: you’re not in anymore. You can forget it.

“Now we have to see how credible that is. For next year’s Premier League, for example.

“So, we can actually put a line through Aspinall already. A line through the Premier League, according to Barry Hearn.”

Van der Voort questioned whether the message would really apply to the biggest names in the sport.

The Dutchman reckons Luke Littler would still receive invitations because of his huge pulling power.

The 14-time major winner skipped the opening 26 floor events this campaign before withdrawing from the New Zealand Masters and Australian Masters earlier this month.

He added: “If Littler wants to play, he’ll just play.

“So it doesn’t apply to the people who sell the tickets.

“It doesn’t apply to the top five, but to the rest. But of course he can’t say that.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning