MVG is a three-time PDC World Champion
Michael van Gerwen has withdrawn from the World Darts Championship after testing positive for Covid-19 prior to his match against Chris Dobey.
As a result of Mighty Mike's withdrawal, Dobey has received a bye to the last 16.
Tuesday evening's session - which features Rob Cross against Daryl Gurney and Peter Wright against Damon Heta - will continue as planned.
The world number three is a three-time PDC World Champion, having won the prestigious competition in 2014, 2017, and 2019.
https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/1475874985075953673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1475874985075953673%7Ctwgr%5Ehb_1_7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.skysports.com%2Fdarts%2Flive-blog%2F27975%2F12505119%2Fworld-darts-championship-rob-cross-peter-wright-and-michael-van-gerwen-in-third-round-action-live
The Professional Darts Corporation released a statement announcing the Dutchman's withdrawal from the tournament, which read: "Michael van Gerwen has withdrawn from the William Hill World Darts Championship after testing positive for Covid-19 ahead of his match with Chris Dobey.
"Dobey will receive a bye to the last 16 and Tuesday evening's session will continue with two matches, as Rob Cross plays Daryl Gurney and Peter Wright meets Damon Heta."
'Mighty Mike' posted a quick statement reacting to the news on his Twitter feed, this evening.
He stated: "Really disappointed, confused, angry the way how my world championship is ending," the Dutchman wrote on Twitter.
"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 off really quickly. Fans I'll be back stronger!"
https://twitter.com/MvG180/status/1475904095890423811
He later told Dutch media outlet AD Sportwereld that he barely left his own hotel room during the tournament and even breakfasted on his own. He hit out at the PDC for not enforcing Covid rules strongly enough.
"The control has not been strong enough. It is just a big corona bomb now,"
van Gerwen declared.
"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."
