Littler Faces Backlash in Brighton, Exit Possibly Linked to Van Veen Dispute

World champion Luke Littler suffered a dismal defeat to Stephen Bunting in the Premier League quarter-final, with his lowest televised PDC average, and experts believe it may be a 'knock-on' effect from his public spat with Gian van Veen. Littler, 19, was booed by the crowd in Brighton and struggled to regain composure, eventually losing with a poor average of 83.94. Former Premier League star Wayne Mardle thinks Littler's performance was affected by the previous week's incident, saying it would be a coincidence if it wasn't related. Littler's early exit has given Jonny Clayton an opportunity to take the lead in the table, after the Welshman staged a stunning comeback to defeat Michael Van Gerwen. The Premier League continues with a crucial night in Rotterdam, where Dutch No 1 Van Veen will face Luke Humphries, and Littler will battle Gerwyn Price in a key match near the top of the table.