Raymond Van Barneveld decides to play on - 24 hours after retiring

The five-time darts world champion announces he wants to play World Championship in December one final time before he steps away from the sport

FILE PHOTO: Darts - Betway Premier League Darts 2016 - Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales - 31/3/16  Raymond van Barneveld reacts during the match  Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Peter Cziborra  Livepic  EDITORIAL USE ONLY/File Photo
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Five-time world champion Raymond Van Barneveld has reversed his decision to retire.

After defeat to fellow Dutchman Michael Van Gerwen on Thursday night in the Premier League, he said he did not want further "pain" and would finish immediately.

However, in a statement on Friday the 51-year-old said: "For months my life has been a rollercoaster of emotions.

"I felt ashamed on stage in front of my family, my friends and the Barney Army. I felt I let everyone down and that pain was very hard to deal with.

"In the heat of the moment I only wanted to never feel that again, but I realise that I should not speak out like that when I feel such raw emotion.

"I want to end my career at Alexandra Palace during one final World Championship."