World No. 1 Gerwyn Price requested that Alexandra Palace’s World Darts Championship be postponed following another positive Covid test.
Dave Chisnall became the third player to be forced out of the tournament on Wednesday after testing positive for coronavirus.
Three-time champion Michael van Gerwen hit out at the event’s organisers after he had to pull out of the competition following a positive Covid test as he branded the tournament a ‘big corona bomb’.
Price claimed that the tournament had been ‘devalued” due to withdrawals this week and has demanded that the main event be cancelled.
“Now, this tournament has been devalued.” On Tuesday, he posted on Instagram that he would rather play with the best players to be the top, but he felt sick for the Covid players who had to withdraw.
Gerwyn Price, World No. 1 in Darts has asked for the World Darts Championship be cancelled
Price claimed that the tournament had been ‘devalued” after first withdrawals. He now says it should be delayed after another player is forced to withdraw from the competition
Dave Chisnall is now the third player out of the World Darts Championship
His 141,000 Twitter followers heard him say Wednesday that “Tournament should be postponed.”
With five days left of play, fears have grown that some big matches might be postponed. Meanwhile, fans have labeled the tournament as a ‘failure’ and ‘ridiculous.
PDC Darts released a statement Wednesday saying that Dave Chisnall was withdrawing from the William Hill World Darts Championship, having tested positive for Covid-19 prior to his match with Luke Humphries.
“Humphries” will be given a bye into the 16th round and Wednesday’s session with two matches will go ahead.
“Jose de Sousa” will portray Alan Soutar and Nathan Aspinall, Callan Rydz.
Raymond van Barneveld (Dutch darts legend) revealed that he suffered from Covid following his weekend-long crash out of the Championship.
Michael Van Gerwen was pushed out by Covid of the World Darts Championship on Tuesday
Van Gerwen said he didn’t have any symptoms of Covid, and was disappointed to be forced out
Vincent van der Voort, who tested positive for Covid in his urine, was removed from the tournament. James Wade received a bye so that he could reach the fourth round.
Van Gerwen, the next celebrity to be positive for HIV/AIDS was also impressed.
Prof. Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia said, “It’s not surprising.” Sportsmail.
‘[The tournament]”It has taken place in a period when there was rapid growth of the London epidemic,” said the professor in medicine. He also highlighted the risk of transmission earlier in the month.
Fans have called the tournament a “farce” and “ridiculous”, following forced withdrawals
It was especially prevalent among the younger generation and those who congregated in enclosed spaces. They aren’t surprising to be getting cases.
Prof Hunter said that it was possible for them to see more cases. However, scientists cannot be certain.
Van Gerwen said that he was careful to avoid taking risks such as going down for breakfast at his hotel. Professor Hunter stated that this prudent behaviour could increase the chances of players being infected during the competition.
It will all depend on whether players or fans have received boosted vaccinations and how many Omicron-infected cases they had previously.
He added that we may not know how much Covid has spread to supporters as surveillance systems are not able to keep up with it all.
“It is possible that quite some people have been to the event and have test positive for Covid. However, it is more challenging because so much is available.
Vincent van der Voort, second right), and Van Gerwen spent Christmas together. This was before Vincent van der Voort became Covid.
Van Gerwen tweeted on Tuesday night: ‘Really disappointed, confused, angry…..the way how my world championship is ending.
“I didn’t expect this result, even though I tried my best to prevent it. I haven’t had any symptoms.
This year is ending quickly. Fans, I will be back stronger!
Van Gerwen was forced to isolate himself after Van Der Voort, a fellow Dutchman, had also been tested positive.
Van Gerwen stated that while our health is important, you’re here to win this tournament. AD Sportwereld.
“I didn’t see this coming.” Vincent and I were almost everywhere. We decided not to go to breakfast (at the hotel), as it was busy.
“We are able to all sit together, but it was not what we imagined. This is the worst nightmare.
Alexandra Palace is packed with darts enthusiasts for the World Darts Championship.
In accordance with ‘Plan B’ regulations, all individuals must wear masks when they are not eating or drinking.
I test myself every day here. It’s not clear where it came from. But we’re the losers.
Van Gerwen and Van Der Voort were seen together as they celebrated Christmas and the former feels more could be done to limit the spread of the virus.
The Dutchman stated that they had to verify everyone’s identity at their doors every day.
“According to British Government, this isn’t necessary but it would have been helpful to protect your organisation and the World Championship.
“The PDC will always claim that they follow the Government’s rules, but could have been examined more carefully.
“Control hasn’t been strong enough. The corona bomb is now just a large one.
It is as leaky as an empty basket. I now have to pay a steep price. It is extra bitter because I have not done any work.
Van Gerwen made comments that the PDC responded to. The PDC released a statement to PA saying: “We hope Vincent and Michael are in good health. We share their sadness at not being able to participate in this tournament.
“We don’t make comments on players’ situations and continue to adhere to approved protocols at William Hill World Darts Championship. These include testing all players.
Experts in public health labeled World Darts Championship ‘Covid Spreading on Steroids’ because it attracts over 80,000 fans.
Professor Keith Neal from the University of Nottingham is an expert on public health and said that the Omicron variant was spreading rapidly throughout the country. He also stated that the event was not safe.
Prof Neal said at the beginning of the tournament, “I would ask the local authorities not to let it happen with an audience.” It is absurd. Public transport will become the preferred mode of transportation for people.
It is Covid on steroids. They will not wear masks to conceal their drinking and there is no social distancing.
The final is due to be played on Monday at 8pm, with £500,000 in prize money going to the winner.