2021 champion Gerwyn Price believes that the World Darts Championship needs to be postponed as a result of the drop outs that have taken place because of Covid-19.
Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen was forced to withdraw on Tuesday night due to a positive coronavirus test.
On Wednesday, last year’s beaten semi-finalist Dave Chisnall also withdrew from the tournament for the same reason as Van Gerwen having contracted the virus.
With players receiving a bye to the fourth round and the sheer amount of positive tests being returned amongst competitors, Gerwyn Price believes that the tournament must be stopped before it loses its credibility.
“Now this tournament is de valued (sic). I’d rather play the best to be the best, absolutely feel sick for these players having to pull out over Covid,” ‘The Ice Man’ wrote on Instagram.
“Tournament needs to be postponed,” he concluded.
Chris Dobey, who was set to face Van Gerwen before the Dutch man’s withdrawal, will now face Luke Humphries in the last 16 after he received a bye against Chisnall.
Speaking on Sky Sports, former BDO world champion Mark Webster admitted that the withdrawals “don’t help the event.”
“We spoke last night – we were hoping that was it. Unfortunately, we lose Dave today,” said Webster.
“First and foremost, I hope Dave gets better. It’s just a shame for the event. We lost a semi-finalist from last year. Dave Chisnall would have been coming here thinking, ‘this is my time’. Unfortunately, he’s not going to get that chance.
“By default really, we’ve got an interesting tie with Chris Dobey and Luke Humphries. Not the way they wanted it.
“I hope this is the last one, because it doesn’t help the event. It’s not great for the crowd watching. We don’t want to keep losing players. Hopefully, that is the last of it now. And hopefully, Dave gets better.”
