PORTER BREAKS SILENCE ON LITTLER WANTING CHEF AT VENUES

PDC chief Matt Porter insists Luke Littler’s camp did not demand a private chef for Premier League nights.

World No.1 Littler had reportedly become frustrated with the food available at some venues during the weekly roadshow event, prompting his manager to raise the issue with Matchroom president Barry Hearn.

But Porter says the situation was “misinterpreted” and stressed the organisation is constantly working to improve conditions for players on the circuit.

He told Oche180: “I don’t think that was quite what was asked for and there may have been a misinterpretation of that.

“We have been working with all the players on the facilities that are available to them at the venues.

“It is not like a football stadium where you are the home team and you go into your dressing room environment every week.

“Each venue is different and the facilities vary hugely. We try and make sure the players have what is best for them available.

“It shows how far the game has come that we are able to do that now.

“It has been a process of evolution and communication really to make sure we are delivering the best environment to the players.”

Porter also lifted the lid on the selection process behind the Premier League line-up and the factors considered before the final eight players are chosen.

He added: “The factors that are considered are playing performance, star quality in terms of how you’ve performed in big events over the previous year.

“What your ranking is like, what your on-stage presence is like, how you conduct yourself. There’s a whole myriad of different factors that are taken into consideration.

“There isn’t an algorithm or mathematical formula behind it as such. There is a lot of judgement and we take a view on where we think it is right.

“We want to keep it fresh. There were three changes to this year’s event. You would not want to turn up to the same venues with the same players repeating what they did last year.

“You have to try and evolve it and keep it moving. You want the players to have that jeopardy on whether they will be in it or not because it is a major talking point throughout the year.

“It’s not often you get 100% agreement [on who should be selected], but it’s a bit like a judge where he asks for a unanimous verdict and then goes for a majority verdict.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.