Premier League Darts star withdraws from event at last minute to cause chaos

Michael van Gerwen pulled out of competing in the Premier League just before the action began in Berlin. The three-time champion was one of the main draws for the fans in the German capital, but decided he couldn’t compete due to a shoulder injury.

was scheduled to take on Gerwyn Price in the quarter finals inside the Uber Arena. But the Welshman will now receive a bye straight into the semi-final, taking two league points and a +1 leg difference, with Van Gerwen stomaching a -6 leg difference.

A PDC said in a statement: "Michael van Gerwen has withdrawn from Thursday's BetMGM night in Berlin due to a shoulder injury.

“The Dutchman had been hoping to continue his run of success in the Premier League's visits to the Uber Arena, which include victories in the 2022 Play-Offs and last year's league night. However, a shoulder injury has meant that Van Gerwen has withdrawn from the event.”

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The injury comes as a serious blow for the Dutchman, who sat third in the Premier League table with 13 points ahead of Thursday night. While Luke Littler is well clear at the top, with 26 points, and world No.1 Luke Humphries is second on 18, there is a tight battle for the remaining spots.

Van Gerwen is just one point above Price in fourth and Rob Cross in fifth, while Nathan Aspinall is also without touching distance on 10 points.

He has won seven matches altogether, but is yet to triumph on a night, with Littler coming out on top four times and Humphries and Price claiming two wins.

His no-show will see Price leapfrog him into third on 14 points before the action has even started. The Welshman will no doubt be grateful for the points and the immediate progression to the semis, where he will play Chris Dobey, who was a surprise 6-2 winner over Littler in the quarter-final.

Price has himself been battling an injury. “I've been struggling with a bit of an injury over the last week, and it's still not 100 per cent,” he said.

“It was nice to get another win on the ProTour this week, and this gives me a good confidence boost going into the Premier League on Thursday.

“I was 4-1 up against Michael on the European Tour the other week, and I lost 6-4. It doesn't matter how well you're playing. These players can come back and beat you, so I need to be at the top of my game.”