Darts Stars Threaten Boycott Over Post-Brexit Travel Chaos at European Events
Leading professional darts players are considering a boycott of European Tour tournaments following widespread complaints about severe travel disruptions, which they attribute directly to Brexit-related border controls. The issue came to a head during the recent Belgian Darts Open in Wieze, where multiple competitors faced extensive delays at airports, sparking fears that some may opt out of future events.
Players Voice Frustrations on Social Media
During the third event of the PDC European Tour season, several elite players took to social media to express their dismay. Welsh star Jonny Clayton, who reached the final in Belgium, posted about a two-hour wait at Brussels Airport, ominously suggesting it could be his last European Tour appearance this year. Similarly, former UK Open champion Nathan Aspinall vented about another frustrating week with lengthy passport control queues, using explicit language to convey his irritation.
Chris Dobey, another professional competitor at the tournament, described the travel experience as a "nightmare" and directly linked the problems to Britain's departure from the European Union. "I think we shouldn't have left the EU, I think that's the big problem," Dobey stated bluntly after his second-round victory over Dave Chisnall. "It's the same for most of the British lads."
Impact on Player Preparation and Morale
The travel issues are significantly affecting player preparation and overall experience. Dobey revealed that he and others waited over two and a half hours just for passport control in Belgium, following similar delays in Poland weeks earlier. This disruption leaves little time for recovery or exploration on days off, with players often forced to go straight to bed upon arrival rather than enjoying the host locations.
"It's off-putting because on your day off, you want to go out and see the place, but we didn't get to do any of that," Dobey explained. "It was just food and straight to bed when I got in." This sentiment highlights how the logistical challenges are diminishing what should be positive aspects of competing internationally.
Potential Tournament Boycotts Loom
Perhaps most significantly, Dobey suggested that persistent travel problems could lead players to skip tournaments altogether. "I think for some it could [cause people to pull out]," he acknowledged, while noting that early in the season most competitors want to play as many events as possible. However, with upcoming tournaments in Munich and other European locations likely to present similar issues, the temptation to withdraw is growing.
The dilemma is particularly acute because European Tour events offer substantial ranking money that players are reluctant to miss. "You love playing on the European Tour. That's where the big money is on the rankings, so you don't want to miss them," Dobey admitted, expressing hope that solutions can be found to restore enjoyment to the competition circuit.
Tournament Context and Future Events
The Belgian Darts Open saw Luke Humphries claim the title, though off-stage discussions dominated much of the weekend. This event followed Wessel Nijman's victory at the European Darts Trophy in Germany and Luke Littler's win at the Poland Darts Trophy. Looking ahead, the European Tour continues with the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich over Easter weekend, followed by events in Sindelfingen, Germany, and the Austrian Darts Open.
As these tournaments approach, the PDC faces mounting pressure to address travel concerns before player frustrations translate into actual boycotts that could undermine the integrity and appeal of the European Tour series.
