Darts Apr 29, 2026

Luke Littler says he hasn't spoken to Gian van Veen since Premier League bust-up in Manchester

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Luke Littler says he hasn't spoken to Gian van Veen since Premier League bust-up in Manchester

Luke Littler admits he has yet to talk to Gian van Veen since their Manchester bust-up, but insists the matter is settled.

The pair were involved in an on-stage spat in the Premier League three weeks ago, with the back-to-back world champion accused of celebrating when his opponent missed a match dart.

There was a frosty handshake at the end of the match and some afters on social media, with both players since doubling down on their versions of events.

Littler says he has not cleared the air with the Dutchman, but is looking forward to a rematch. The pair could meet if they progress to the finals in Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham.

"No, we've not spoken. I'm not the type of person to go up and talk to him or something like that," Littler said.

"Maybe he's waiting for me to go and talk to him, but I'm not the type of person to do that, even in the practice room, people will talk to me first.

"I'm not the type of person to be chatting away.

"We can obviously settle it on the darts board, but backstage, it's just been normal and been the same preparation-wise.

"I think he's forgotten about it. I've forgotten about it. I moved on the day after, went on holiday."

Littler is feeling the after-effects of the dispute, with fans turning on him since it happened.

He received a hostile reaction in Rotterdam last week and was again on the wrong end of an unwelcoming atmosphere in Liverpool on Thursday, though he did silence the boo-boys with an impressive nightly win, beating Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton on the way to victory.

There has been plenty of discourse about Littler's actions in Manchester, but he insists he has no regrets over the incident.

"No, I don't regret anything," Littler said. "Obviously, I have my opinion, he's got his opinion, so we're all entitled to it.

"I think we've both moved on with our game on stage, but off stage, obviously we've not spoken.

"It has been a tough couple weeks, but I just had to get on with it.

"Just playing darts, that's what I've done now, winning this night gives me confidence."

Success on the banks of the Mersey will mean more to Littler than most of his many victories.

He has never enjoyed the warmest of welcomes in the city, mainly because he is a Manchester United fan and has been quick to mock the Anfield club's fortunes on social media.

But he says the reception was nothing compared to what he faced in Van Veen's home territory of Rotterdam last week.

"If it gets worse than that, then something's wrong," he added.

"Rotterdam was far worse than tonight. I even proved to people last week that I can win games under those circumstances.

"There was no anxiety, I just expected the worst, but it wasn't worse than Rotterdam. That's the worst I've experienced."

Who will win this year's Premier League Darts? Watch the action every single Thursday through to the finals in May on Your Site. .

Tags:

darts news

Share this article

Related Posts

Luke Littler shrugs off boos at Premier League in Liverpool: Reaction in Rotterdam the 'worst I have experienced'

Luke Littler shrugs off boos at Premier League in Liverpool: Reaction in Rotterdam the 'worst I have experienced'

Luke Littler shrugged off the boos he received in Liverpool as he won Night 12 of the Premier League, declaring that the reaction he received on Night...

Premier League Darts: Updates from Night 12 in Liverpool with Luke Littler, Luke Humphries in action

Premier League Darts: Updates from Night 12 in Liverpool with Luke Littler, Luke Humphries in action

Odegaard ignoring speculation over his futureArsenal captain Martin Odegaard insists he is paying no attention to speculation he could leave the club...

Premier League Darts: Luke Littler beats Jonny Clayton and silences Liverpool crowd to close gap at top of table

Premier League Darts: Luke Littler beats Jonny Clayton and silences Liverpool crowd to close gap at top of table

Luke Littler silenced the Liverpool crowd and closed the gap at the top of the Premier League table with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Jonny Clayton on...

Beau Greaves makes history as first woman to claim PDC ranking title as she wins Players Championship 11

Beau Greaves makes history as first woman to claim PDC ranking title as she wins Players Championship 11

Beau Greaves became the first woman to win a PDC ranking title with a historic 8-7 victory over Michael Smith in Monday’s Players Championship 11 fina...

Premier League darts 2026: Fixtures, results and table as Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen and more feature

Premier League darts 2026: Fixtures, results and table as Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen and more feature

The latest fixtures and results from the 2026 Premier League Darts, where world No 1 Luke Littler and defending champion Luke Humphries are among thos...

Players Championship 12: Wessel Nijman wins fifth ranking title of 2026 as Beau Greaves suffers last-16 exit

Players Championship 12: Wessel Nijman wins fifth ranking title of 2026 as Beau Greaves suffers last-16 exit

Wessel Nijman maintained his astonishing start to 2026 by securing his fourth Players Championship - and fifth ranking title - of the year at the late...