Luke Littler has openly confirmed that he has not yet had a conversation with Dutch rival Gian van Veen since their heated encounter in Manchester, but he maintains that the incident is now behind them. The two darts professionals found themselves in a public dispute three weeks ago during a Premier League match, when the back‑to‑back world champion was accused of celebrating a missed match dart by his opponent.
The tension spilled over into a frosty handshake at the end of the game and ignited a flurry of exchanges on social media, with each player staunchly defending his own version of events. When asked about the situation, Littler admitted, “No, we haven’t spoken. I’m not the sort of person who goes up to him and tries to sort things out.” He added that he believes van Veen might be waiting for him to make the first move, but Littler prefers to let the other party initiate any dialogue. “Even in the practice room, people talk to me first,” he said, emphasizing his reluctance to chase down a conversation.
“I’m not the type of guy who chats away.” Despite the lingering silence off‑stage, Littler is eager for a possible rematch if both players advance to the knockout stages in Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham. He noted that any remaining issues could be settled on the oche, saying, “We can obviously settle it on the darts board, but backstage it’s been normal and the preparation has stayed the same.” He also suggested that both men have largely moved on: “I think he’s forgotten about it.
I’ve forgotten about it. I moved on the day after, went on holiday.” The fallout from the Manchester incident has not been limited to private feelings; Littler has faced a wave of negativity from fans.
He reported hostile reactions in Rotterdam last week and an unfriendly atmosphere in Liverpool on Thursday. Nevertheless, he managed to silence the dissenters with a stellar performance, defeating Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton in a single night to claim victory. When questioned about any regret, 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 them.” He believes both players have continued to focus on their game during matches, even if the personal rapport remains strained.
“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 tonight gives me confidence.” Success on the Mersey’s banks holds special significance for Littler, who has never felt fully embraced by Liverpool supporters, largely because he is a vocal Manchester United fan and often jokes about the club’s fortunes on social media. He contrasted the reception in Liverpool with the much harsher environment he encountered in van Veen’s home city of Rotterdam. “If it gets worse than that, then something’s wrong,” he remarked. “Rotterdam was far worse than tonight.
I even proved to people last week that I can win games under those circumstances.” He described the Rotterdam experience as the toughest he has faced, adding that he expected the worst but was surprised that the situation did not deteriorate further. Looking ahead, Littler remains focused on the Premier League schedule, which will continue every Thursday until the finals in May.
He is determined to let his performance speak for itself, regardless of any lingering backstage tension. As he puts it, the best way to resolve any dispute is to let the darts do the talking, and he is ready to do just that whenever the opportunity arises. Fans can follow the ongoing drama and the upcoming matches through Sky Sports’ platforms, including WhatsApp updates, live streams on NOW, and the “Love the Darts” podcast. The Premier League Darts table and schedule are also available for those who want to track the progress of Littler, van Veen, and the rest of the field as they battle for the title.