Darts star Ryan Searle has launched a fierce critique of the sport's governing body ahead of his high-stakes World Darts Championship semi-final against teenage sensation Luke Littler this Friday. The player, nicknamed 'Heavy Metal', is fuming over recent structural changes he believes unfairly favour the elite.
Searle's 'Kick in the Teeth' Complaint Over PDC Rules
At the heart of Searle's grievance is a controversial rule change introduced by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) in early 2025. The new system grants the top 16 players in the main Order of Merit an automatic bye into the second round of European Tour events.
Searle argues this renders the ProTour Order of Merit – a ranking he feels better reflects current form and consistency – largely meaningless. For players like him, who sit within the top 16 of the ProTour standings but outside the overall PDC top 16, it means starting in the opening rounds while rivals rest.
Taking to social media to voice his frustration, Searle described the policy shift as a "kick in the teeth" for hard-working professionals. He believes it creates an uneven playing field, insulating the established top names from early competition.
Spats, Blacklists, and Premier League Doubts
Searle's public complaints did not go unnoticed in the darts world. They sparked a light-hearted exchange with Australian star Damon Heta, who jested that he thought Searle had made a New Year's resolution to stop moaning. Searle fired back, urging Heta to support his argument and even suggesting Heta was already on a "blacklist" after being overlooked for the Premier League Darts lineup despite his ranking.
This segued into Searle's own doubts about his Premier League prospects. Following his quarter-final victory over Johnny Clayton, Searle admitted a desire to compete in the prestigious tournament "just once". However, he questioned whether he "fits" the selection criteria, citing Chris Dobey's previous inclusion after a deep World Championship run as a potential precedent.
Focusing on the Task at Hand: Littler in the Semi-Finals
Despite his strong feelings on the PDC's decisions, Searle has vowed to channel his energy into his game. He faces the monumental challenge of Luke Littler in the World Darts Championship semi-finals on Friday evening, with a place in the final at stake.
Searle has resolved to stop complaining and instead redouble his efforts to break into the protected top 16. His immediate focus, however, is squarely on the Alexandra Palace stage and defeating the world champion. Whether his grievances fuel his performance or become a distraction remains to be seen, setting the stage for a dramatic and highly charged clash.
