Luke Littler has confirmed that, to date, he has not had a conversation with Dutch rival Gian van Veen following their heated exchange in Manchester, but he maintains that the incident is now behind them. The two competitors were involved in a tense on‑stage confrontation during a Premier League Darts fixture three weeks ago, when the reigning back‑to‑back world champion was accused of gloating after van Veen missed a crucial match dart. The episode culminated in a chilly handshake at the end of the match and a flurry of posts on social media, with each player subsequently reiterating his own version of events.
When asked about the state of their relationship, Littler was blunt: “No, we haven’t spoken. I’m not the sort of person who goes over and tries to talk things out,” he said.
He added that perhaps van Veen is waiting for him to make the first move, but Littler prefers to let others initiate contact. “Even in the practice room, people will talk to me first,” he explained, emphasizing that he is not inclined to chase down a conversation.
Despite the lingering silence, Littler expressed optimism about a possible rematch. Both players could meet again if they advance to the final stages of the Premier League, which are slated to take place in Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham later this season.
"We can obviously settle it on the darts board," Littler noted, "but backstage it’s been normal, the preparation has stayed the same. I think he’s forgotten about it, I’ve forgotten about it. I moved on the day after, went on holiday." The aftermath of the Manchester episode has not been easy for Littler. He reported receiving a hostile reception in Rotterdam last week, and a similarly unfriendly atmosphere in Liverpool on Thursday.
Nevertheless, he managed to silence the dissenting crowd with a spectacular performance, defeating Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton en route to a decisive victory. The crowd’s reaction, while initially negative, turned into applause as Littler demonstrated his composure under pressure. When pressed about any regrets, Littler was unequivocal: “No, I don’t regret anything.
Obviously I have my opinion, he’s got his opinion, and we’re both entitled to it. I think we’ve both moved on with our game on stage, but off‑stage, obviously we haven’t spoken. It’s been a tough couple of 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 in Liverpool, a city that has never been particularly welcoming to Littler, carries extra significance for the young Englishman. He is an outspoken Manchester United supporter and has frequently mocked Liverpool’s fortunes on social media, which has not endeared him to the Anfield faithful.
However, he insists that the hostility he faced in Liverpool pales in comparison to the reception in van Veen’s home turf of Rotterdam. “Rotterdam was far worse than tonight,” Littler said. “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.” He added that if the situation ever deteriorated further, it would signal a deeper problem within the sport’s culture. Looking ahead, the Premier League Darts competition will continue every Thursday until the finals in May, with matches broadcast on Sky Sports and available for streaming via NOW. Fans can follow the tournament’s schedule and table, watch the latest highlights, and tune into the "Love the Darts" podcast for additional analysis.
While the on‑stage rivalry between Littler and van Veen remains a talking point, both players appear focused on their individual performances and the ultimate goal of clinching the league title. In summary, Littler acknowledges that he and van Veen have yet to reconcile off the oche, but he remains confident that any lingering tension will be resolved through future competition. He has already demonstrated resilience in the face of hostile crowds, turning potential distractions into motivation. As the league progresses toward its climax, the darts community will be watching closely to see whether the Manchester bust‑up will fade into the background or continue to shape the narrative surrounding these two talented competitors.