Enlarge image
Darts player Michael van Gerwen had tested positive for the corona virus
Photo: Chris Sargeant / imago images / Pro Sports Images
Even on the morning after his Corona exit at the Darts World Cup in London, Michael van Gerwen's anger had not yet subsided.
“It's just a big corona bomb now.
The controls weren't strong enough, the PDC could have done more, «said the three-time world champion to the Dutch portal AD Sportwereld in relation to the world association.
In fact, it became known on Wednesday lunchtime that the Englishman Dave Chisnall had also tested positive and was no longer allowed to play in his third round match against compatriot Luke Humphries.
Before van Gerwen, his Dutch compatriots Vincent van der Voort and Raymond van Barneveld had already retired due to a corona infection.
Now the organizers are threatened with chaos at the player level too.
In view of the more and more widespread Omikron variant in Great Britain, further failures until the end of the tournament on January 3rd are anything but unlikely.
On television you can see how the »Ally Pally«, which is packed with 3000 viewers every day, is celebrated exuberantly.
Dilemma caused by oneself
The world association PDC is now in a self-inflicted dilemma.
The show and staging-oriented association approached the World Cup with relatively generous rules and many quick tests instead of PCR tests.
Van Gerwen indicated to the AD portal that the players would carry out the quick tests themselves, saying: "I could have fooled everyone." The fans were not adequately checked at the entrance either.
The association only responded briefly to van Gerwen's allegations: »We will not comment on individual players.
We continue to follow the guidelines of the government, "it said in a message.
Harsh criticism of the overall situation in Alexandra Palace, which can be used to full capacity despite the high corona numbers, has existed since the beginning of the title fights. Those responsible are not necessarily considered to be advocates of strict corona measures. PDC boss Barry Hearn wrote on December 18 with reference to Omikron via Twitter: "And are we seriously thinking about shutting down the economy and causing endless hardship for millions of people?" "To live with the virus".
The PDC should try to push through the event until January 3rd, despite possible further failures.
The Scot Peter Wright said, “We should stay away from other people and stay inside.
When I get a delivery of food, I wash my hands and do everything possible to avoid getting the virus.
You don't want to be kicked out of the World Cup because of that.
Nobody wants that. "
sak / dpa / sid