Latest news with #WorldSeniorsChampionofChampions
Daily Mirror
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
PDC and Barry Hearn urged to drop strict rule after major Van Barneveld decision
Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld will be one of the star attractions at this weekend's televised Champion of Champions event hosted by World Seniors Darts The PDC has been urged to loosen restrictions on players after Raymond van Barneveld was surprisingly granted permission to play in a World Seniors event. The five-time world champion will be part of the field at Sunday's World Seniors Champion of Champions tournament in Portsmouth. The event will feature a host of former PDC Tour cardholders, including Simon Whitlock and Steve Beaton, and will be shown for free on Pluto TV, which broadcasts the MODUS Super Series. Current tour card holders like Van Barneveld are ordinarily barred from playing in televised or streamed events that aren't run by the PDC unless they are granted special permission, as the Dutchman has on this occasion. World Seniors Darts chairman Jason Francis hopes that Van Barneveld's involvement will lead to the other players over the age of 45 lobbying the PDC to play in Senior events, like next year's World Seniors Championship at the Circus Tavern. 'We've got a World Championship coming up in February,' said Francis, who is also chairman of World Seniors Snooker. 'I would love to see Gary Anderson, Peter Wright, Mensur Suljovic, Barney… there are other darts players over 45 who would think, 'I wouldn't mind putting a World Seniors Championship on my CV and I would mind winning it at the Circus Tavern.'' However, that will rely on the PDC granting players permission or lifting the current restrictions, which Francis believes would be in the interests of both players and fans. Francis says he has communicated with PDC chief executive Matt Porter over the issue. While he has the utmost respect for Porter, he believes it will take the PDC's owners, Barry Hearn's Matchroom operation, which also controls the World Snooker Tour (WST), to change tack for a breakthrough to be made. 'We've been very restricted in the players we can use,' said Francis, who is the manager of snooker icon Ronnie O'Sullivan. 'I've had an ongoing dialogue with Matt Porter and have invited him to lift all restrictions on all players. I don't know Matt personally. I understand he does an incredibly good job and is very well respected in how he runs the PDC. 'But Matt isn't the decision-maker. In my opinion, the major decisions in darts and snooker are taken by Barry Hearn. 'I can have as many discussions as I want with Matt Porter, which have been very cordial, but he can't do anything without Barry's say-so. 'He hasn't agreed to lift all of the restrictions. He has reminded players they are free to apply for permission. What that means, I don't know. In this case, Raymond van Barneveld has been given permission to play in a World Seniors event. 'Darts fans are the winners here. They have another tournament where they can see a top PDC player play in another broadcast event. I hope we will soon be in a world where every player is free to play in anything they want.'
Wales Online
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Raymond van Barneveld career move get thumbs up as tournament chief says 'darts is winner'
Raymond van Barneveld career move get thumbs up as tournament chief says 'darts is winner' Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld will grace a World Seniors event this month after being given special permission to compete by the PDC Raymond van Barneveld's announcement surprised the darting world (Image:) Raymond van Barneveld has received special dispensation to compete in a non-PDC event. The darts community was taken aback this week when the Dutch icon, 58, revealed he had accepted a wildcard invite to participate in the World Seniors Champion of Champions tournament at the end of June. Normally, players with PDC Tour Cards are banned from featuring in TV or streamed competitions that aren't managed by the PDC. Therefore, Van Barneveld's involvement in the World Seniors event led to speculation over his future at the top level. But the five-time world champion is still part of the PDC, which has sanctioned his participation in the Champion of Champions, which will be held at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth on June 29. When approached, the PDC confirmed: "Raymond has asked for, and been granted, permission to play in the event." Meanwhile, Jason Francis, chairman of World Seniors Darts, confirmed on social media that van Barneveld had adhered to proper protocols. He shared on X: "RVB followed the correct procedures, and permission was granted. It's all good." In response to a question from former world champion Keith Deller about whether other PDC players could follow suit, Francis added: "The PDC contract allows players to apply for permission. In this case [we're] delighted it's been granted for @Raybar180 to play as he is a legend and a fantastic addition but 11 others will want to prove a point so should be fantastic competition. Darts is the winner here." Article continues below Van Barneveld's announcement surprised the darting world (Image: Getty ) Van Barneveld will renew his rivalries with the likes of Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King, who will also be part of the 12-player Champion of Champions field. He said: "I am looking forward to playing in this event. "The sport has always loved big characters, and World Seniors Darts have brought them back, with most still playing to a high standard. They have a loyal crowd, and the popularity for the Seniors seems to grow and grow. I'm looking forward to catching up with the old faces of the sport, especially from my BDO era." He insists he won't take his opponents lightly, adding: "I'm not coming over to Portsmouth thinking this will be easy. I will be giving my full respect to all of the players involved, and I will be preparing hard for this tournament. Simon Whitlock will be part of the field at the Champion of Champions event (Image:) "With players like Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton, and Mervyn King - who've just stepped off the pro tour - plus Seniors World Champions like John Henderson, Robert Thornton and Ross Montgomery, it's going to be a real battle." Article continues below There is no suggestion that Van Barneveld is planning to leave the PDC Tour, and he is on course to be part of the field at next month's PDC World Matchplay at Blackpool's Winter Gardens. But his exception to play in the Champion of Champions does potentially open the door to lower-ranked PDC players and stars of Van Barneveld's age to play in the MODUS Super Series and World Seniors events.
Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Raymond van Barneveld given green light by PDC to go against normal regulations
Darts legend Raymond van Barneveld is relishing taking part in a World Seniors event against some of his old rivals after being granted permission to play by the PDC Raymond van Barneveld has shocked darts fans by entering a non-PDC TV tournament. The Dutch legend has accepted a wildcard invite to play in the World Seniors Champion of Champions tournament later this month. Typically, PDC Tour Card holders cannot participate in televised or streamed events outside the PDC's jurisdiction, but an exception has been made for the five-time world champion. Van Barneveld's involvement in a World Seniors event had sparked speculation over the 58-year-old's future in the PDC. However, he remains within the PDC fold, with the powers that be sanctioning his request to compete at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth on June 29. When contacted by the Mirror, the PDC confirmed: "Raymond has asked for, and been granted, permission to play in the event." Meanwhile, Jason Francis, chairman of World Seniors Darts, assured fans that all protocols were observed. On social media, Francis confirmed: "RVB followed the correct procedures, and permission was granted. It's all good." Responding to ex-world champion Keith Deller's query about whether other players could make similar requests, Francis said: "The PDC contract allows players to apply for permission. In this case [we're] delighted it's been granted for @Raybar180 to play as he is a legend and a fantastic addition but 11 others will want to prove a point so should be fantastic competition. Darts is the winner here." Van Barneveld is set to face off against icons like Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King, who will form part of the 12-play field in Portsmouth. The former Premier League champion insists he is taking the tournament deadly seriously, saying: "The sport has always loved big characters, and World Seniors Darts have brought them back, with most still playing to a high standard. "They have a loyal crowd, and the popularity for the Seniors seems to grow and grow. I'm looking forward to catching up with the old faces of the sport, especially from my BDO era. "I'm not coming over to Portsmouth thinking this will be easy. I will be giving my full respect to all of the players involved, and I will be preparing hard for this tournament. "With players like Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton, and Mervyn King - who've just stepped off the pro tour - plus Seniors World Champions like John Henderson, Robert Thornton, and Ross Montgomery, it's going to be a real battle." There's no indication that Van Barneveld intends to quit the PDC Tour, although he could play in fewer tournaments as he heads towards the end of his career. He is on course to be part of the field at the upcoming World Matchplay in Blackpool, which starts on July 19. The exception to play in the Champion of Champions potentially opens the door to lower-ranked PDC players and stars of Van Barneveld's age to compete in the MODUS Super Series and World Seniors events.
