Raymond van Barneveld no longer talking to darts team-mate over 'unacceptable reason'
Raymond van Barneveld has stopped talking to a darts team-mate.
Raymond van Barneveld is no longer talking to former Netherlands team-mate Roland Scholten, with the latter explaining the reason behind the radio silence. Van Barneveld won the PDC World Championship in 2007 after being crowned BDO world champion four times.
Van Barneveld and Scholten found themselves battling for honours against each other under both professional bodies for years.
And they also used to spend time travelling together when they represented the Dutch national team.
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But Scholten explained on the Double Top podcast: “Some things happened in our career. I'm always very black and white and very honest with everybody. Whether it's a friend or an enemy. There are things that have happened that are not acceptable with me.
“I'm not waiting for him to come over for coffee anymore. At some point I'm done with it. And that's okay too because you can't get through the same door with everyone.”
Scholten did allude to some of his shared experiences with Van Barneveld, however, including darts’ transition to the PDC, which was initially formed as the WDC. And the 59-year-old added: “For example in 1993, when we got an invitation together to play at the then WDC…
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“We had doubts about that switch, mainly because of the payment of prize money. Empty envelopes were handed out. There was payout in shares, but of course we just wanted to see money. That makes sense if you're trying to make your hobby your profession.”
Scholten ended his PDC career in 2013 after winning the only major of his career at the UK Open in 2004. He has since periodically competed on the World Seniors Darts Tour.
Van Barneveld, meanwhile, continues to play in PDC events. And the 57-year-old took a swipe at teenage darts sensation Luke Littler earlier this year after claiming the youngster had been ignoring his texts.
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“At the World Championship you don't chat I can understand, but other tournaments… The other day I walked up to him to shake his hand,” Van Barneveld told Dutch outlet Sportnieuws.nl. “Then he took out his earplug for a moment and only said the most necessary thing.
“To that he responded: ‘Yes, I only respond to text messages. Whatsapp I'm actually not on.’
“Well fine, I sent a text message. ‘Congratulations with Wieze.’ And then nothing. Fine. Then I'm also a bit done with it. The next time I get asked if I want to do something for him, I'll pass.”
