Luke Littler openly acknowledges that he has not had a conversation with Dutch rival Gian van Veen since their heated exchange in Manchester, but he maintains that the incident is now behind them. The two competitors found themselves at odds during a Premier League Darts match three weeks ago when Littler, a back‑to‑back world champion, was accused of celebrating a missed match dart by his opponent. The confrontation culminated in a chilly handshake after the game, and both players have since taken to social media to reinforce their own versions of what happened.
When asked about the state of their relationship, Littler said, "No, we haven't spoken. I'm not the type of person to go up and talk to him or something like that." He added that he suspects van Veen might be waiting for him to make the first move, but Littler prefers to let others initiate contact, even in practice settings. "Even in the practice room, people will talk to me first. I'm not the type of person to be chatting away," he explained.
Despite the lingering tension off‑stage, Littler believes the dispute can be settled on the oche. "We can obviously settle it on the darts board, but backstage it's been normal and the preparation has stayed the same," he said.
He also suggested that both players 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 continued to affect Littler’s reception from fans. He reported hostile reactions in Rotterdam last week and a similarly unwelcoming atmosphere in Liverpool on Thursday. Nevertheless, he managed to silence the boos with a dominant performance, defeating Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton en route to a night‑time victory.
When pressed about any regrets, Littler was unequivocal: "No, I don't regret anything. 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 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." Winning in Liverpool, a city that traditionally welcomes Manchester United supporters with less enthusiasm, holds special significance for Littler. He is an outspoken Manchester United fan and has often teased Liverpool’s fortunes on social media, which has not endeared him to the local crowd. However, he noted that the reception in Liverpool was still milder than what he experienced in van Veen’s home base of Rotterdam.
"If it gets worse than that, then something's wrong," Littler remarked. "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." Looking ahead, both players could potentially meet again if they advance to the Premier League finals, which will be held in Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham.
Littler expressed optimism about a possible rematch, stating that a future encounter would allow them to settle the score purely through skill rather than words. The Premier League Darts season continues to deliver drama both on and off the board, with each Thursday’s fixtures drawing keen interest from fans worldwide. As the tournament progresses toward its May finale, viewers can follow the action on Sky Sports or stream it via NOW. The ongoing rivalry between Littler and van Veen adds an extra layer of intrigue, promising that the next time they cross paths, the tension will be palpable, but the outcome will ultimately be decided by who can hit the highest scores under pressure.
For those wanting regular updates, Sky Sports offers a WhatsApp service delivering the latest news, videos, features and analysis. Whether you are a casual follower or a dedicated darts enthusiast, the season’s narrative—filled with personal feuds, unexpected comebacks and high‑stakes matches—continues to captivate audiences across the UK and beyond.