The organisers of the World Darts Championship insist all necessary precautions are in place to safeguard players and fans after Raymond van Barneveld tested positive for Covid-19.
The five-times world champion revealed he had tested positive after his 3-1 defeat by Rob Cross at Alexandra Palace on Thursday night. The Dutchman said he began to fell unwell after the second-round tie and later provided a positive test.
A spokesperson for the Professional Darts Corporation said: “We have been made aware of Raymond’s positive test and send him our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
“We are following approved protocols and have appropriate regulations in place around the championship, one of which is that all players and staff must produce a negative Covid test result on their return to the event after the Christmas break.â€
Van Barneveld tweeted: “During the match I didn’t have any symptoms, but afterwards I started to realise that I was developing a shortness of breath and fever. I directly called my manager and he advised to go straight to my hotel room and to not give interviews in order to avoid any risk.
“At the moment I do suffer from fever and serious tiredness. The upcoming days I will stay in quarantine in London. We already spoke with Rob Cross and the PDC about the current situation. Stay safe.â€
