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'No sympathy!' - Peter Wright takes aim at Michael van Gerwen over COVID fury

New world champion rejects Dutchman's fury over PDC's handling of the COVID protocols at Alexandra Palace.

Darts world champion Peter Wright says he has 'no sympathy' for Michael van Gerwen after he was forced out of the tournament with COVID.

The Dutchman tested positive before his third-round match and then criticised the PDC for the way they handled the situation.

"The PDC will at all times say that they have followed the rules of the Government, but they could have been looked at more closely," Van Gerwen said.
"The control has not been strong enough. It is just a big corona bomb now.
"It is as leaky as a basket, now I pay a high price. I haven't done anything at all, that makes it extra sour."
Wright, though, has rejected those comments, insisting he believes Van Gerwen has nobody to blame but himself for failing to manage his own risk.
"Obviously I don't feel sorry for him," Wright said.
"I am sorry for the tournament and his fans but everyone had their own choice to look after themselves where they decided to do whatever they did.
"If they are not keeping themselves totally safe it's down to them. We have managed to do it and other players have.
"He will learn from that. We will see him back and he will be in a proper place next year where there is no chance of anybody getting near him."
Wright does, however, concede that his task of winning a second world crown, adding to his 2020 success, would have been harder had Van Gerwen been there.
The Scot beat Van Gerwen in the 2020 final and says he has taken advantage of the three-time world champion's level slipping and the retirement of Phil Taylor.
"Would I have been this good if Phil was still around? I don't know," Wright said.
"If Michael was on form that we know him for? I'd put myself maybe in the top five. Nowhere near as good as MVG and Phil Taylor.
"Without darts, I'd probably be working in a garage, fitting tyres and exhausts, doing services and stuff. It was a good job, I enjoyed it, it kept me fit.
"I didn't have a tyre here. I had proper tyres to fit on cars. Not the one round my belly."

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