Michael van Gerwen feels he was a victim of his own honesty (Picture: Getty Images)
Michael van Gerwen claims that other players were dishonest with the Covid regulations during the 2022 World Darts Championship, and his own honesty cost him as it led to him being forced to withdraw.
MVG was forced out of the competition last December after a positive Covid-19 test ahead of his third round meeting with Chris Dobey, which saw Dobey get a bye into the last 16.
Vincent van der Voort and Dave Chisnall were also forced out of the Alexandra Palace tournament due to positive Covid tests, but MVG has suggested that other players either tested positive as well or had symptoms and suspected they had the virus.
‘I am just one of the guys who was honest – put it that way,’ said Van Gerwen, via The Mirror. ‘There weren’t a lot of honest people, but I was one of them. You can answer the rest yourself. I am not going to name names.
‘I feel better in myself, of course, I couldn’t live with myself otherwise. It hurts. But there are a lot more important things than a game of darts.
‘I wasn’t really sick or anything. Nothing whatsoever. Everything goes through your mind, I am not going to lie, but I decided to withdraw myself, simple.’
The three-time world champion was furious with the situation a year ago, having played well in his opening game to beat Chas Barstow before the withdrawal.
He tweeted: ‘Really disappointed, confused, angry the way how my world championship is ending.
‘Never expected this outcome as I thought I did everything in my possibility to avoid it. Also ain’t got any symptoms. Closing this year of [sic] really quickly. Fans I’ll be back stronger!’
Van Gerwen is back at Alexandra Palace this year looking to hunt down a fourth world title and he is the clear favourite to do just that after winning the Premier League, Matchplay, Grand Prix and Players Championship Finals this season.
He takes on Niels Zonneveld or Lewy Williams in his first match on Wednesday 21 December.
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‘There weren’t a lot of honest people, but I was one of them.’
