VAN DER VOORT BLASTS EURO TOUR BOYCOTT THREATS

VINCENT VAN DER VOORT has told darts stars to “stay away” from European events if they cannot handle travel delays.

The Dutchman launched a blunt response to complaints over airport queues and customs issues, insisting it is part and parcel of life on tour. 

British players have been unable to use EU passport e-gates and instead face long queues for manual checks due to Brexit.   

Several players have voiced their frustration and concern over the situation, with some even threatening to boycott the Euro Tour if conditions fail to improve. 

Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price, and Gary Anderson all withdrew from the German Darts Grand Prix earlier this month. 

Van der Voort made it clear he has little sympathy after decades on the circuit. 

He told the Darts Draait Door podcast: “I’ve been travelling for 30 years—terrible airports, four or five-hour delays, being stuck at customs.  

“During busy holiday periods you’d wait two or three hours. During COVID at Schiphol, you’d be standing 300 metres away from the check-in desk.

“These guys have to wait two hours once and they start whining. Then just don’t come. Stay away.” 

The former UK Open finalist also warned that any decision to snub Euro Tour events would quickly damage players’ rankings and earnings. 

He added: “Fine. Let’s see where they are in two years. That wouldn’t be good—but it would backfire on them quickly.  

“You’d suddenly see a lot more Europeans in the top 16. Just wait and see how quickly it affects their rankings.  

“I think Jonny Clayton earns at least €60,000–€70,000 per year on the Euro Tour. Take that away and look where he ends up. 

“If he doesn’t play Euro Tours, he has to rely only on Pro Tours—and not in Europe either.  

“Then see where he stands. No European Championship, no World Cup.  

“But complaining? What do they expect—that Matt Porter goes to customs and says, ‘These guys need to get through faster or they won’t come’? It doesn’t work like that. 

“The customs situation is annoying—that’s fair. But boycotting? Who does that help?  

“Yourself—and your own fans—only negatively. Accept that it can happen. It’s not every time.

“Last week I flew with Nathan Aspinall to Munich—he was through customs in half an hour. Only his suitcase wasn’t.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.