Luke Littler openly acknowledges that he has not had a conversation with Dutch darts star Gian van Veen since their heated confrontation in Manchester, yet he maintains that the incident has been put 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 episode culminated in a chilly handshake at the conclusion of the game, and the aftermath spilled over onto social media, where each player has continued to defend his own perspective.
When asked about any reconciliation, Littler was blunt: "No, we haven't spoken. I'm not the sort of person who goes up to someone and starts a conversation after a dispute." 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 practice settings.
"People will talk to me first," he said, emphasizing his reluctance to chase after a dialogue. Despite the personal tension, Littler insists that the only arena where the two can truly settle matters is the darts board itself. He noted that backstage interactions have returned to normal, with preparation for upcoming matches proceeding as usual. "I think he's forgotten about it, I've forgotten about it.
I moved on the next day, went on holiday," he explained, underscoring his desire to focus on the sport rather than the drama. The fallout from the Manchester incident has not been limited to the players’ private feelings; it has also manifested in the reactions of fans. Littler reported receiving a hostile reception in Rotterdam last week, and a similarly unfriendly atmosphere in Liverpool on Thursday.
Nevertheless, he managed to quiet the dissenting crowd with a dominant performance, defeating Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton en route to a night‑time victory. When pressed about 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 competitors have moved on professionally, even if personal communication remains absent. "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," he said.
Littler’s feelings about the reception in Liverpool are colored by his well‑known allegiance to Manchester United, a rivalry that often fuels banter on social media. He admitted that the Liverpool crowd’s attitude was less severe than the hostility he faced 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 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 are scheduled to be held in Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham. Littler expressed eagerness for a possible rematch, viewing it as an opportunity to let their darts skills speak for themselves rather than lingering on past words.
Beyond the immediate drama, the episode highlights broader themes within professional darts: the pressure of high‑stakes competition, the impact of social media on player reputations, and the way fan sentiment can swing dramatically based on on‑stage incidents. Littler’s approach—focusing on his game, avoiding unnecessary confrontation, and letting results settle scores—offers a blueprint for athletes navigating similar controversies.
For fans eager to follow the unfolding story, the Premier League Darts schedule continues with weekly Thursday fixtures leading up to the May finals, all broadcast on Sky Sports and available for streaming via NOW. As the season progresses, the question remains: will Littler and van Veen cross paths again on the oche, and if so, will the darts themselves finally put the Manchester bust‑up to rest?