Luke Littler has openly acknowledged that he has not spoken to Dutch opponent Gian van Veen since their heated exchange in Manchester, but he maintains that the incident has been put behind them. The two competitors found themselves in a tense on‑stage confrontation three weeks ago during a Premier League Darts fixture, when the defending 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 conclusion of the match, and the aftermath spilled over onto social media, with each player firmly defending his own version of events. Littler clarified that he has not yet reached out to the Dutchman, emphasizing that he is not the type of person who initiates such conversations.
"No, we haven't spoken. I'm not the sort of guy who goes up to him and starts a dialogue," he said.
He added that perhaps van Veen is waiting for him to make the first move, but Littler prefers to let others approach him first, even in practice settings. "Even in the practice room, people talk to me first. I'm not the kind of person who just chats away," he explained.
Despite the silence off‑stage, Littler is eager for a possible rematch, noting that the two could meet again if they both advance to the finals in Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham. He believes the dispute can be settled on the oche, but backstage interactions have returned to a normal routine. "I think he's forgotten about it. I've forgotten about it.
I moved on the day after, went on holiday," Littler said, underscoring his desire to focus on his game rather than lingering grudges. The fallout from the Manchester incident has not been limited to social media. Littler reported facing hostile reactions from fans in Rotterdam last week and an unwelcoming atmosphere in Liverpool on Thursday. Nevertheless, he managed to silence the detractors with a stellar performance, defeating top players Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton en route to a night‑long victory.
The crowd’s boos were drowned out by his impressive display, reinforcing his belief that on‑stage success can mitigate off‑stage tension. When asked whether he regretted his actions in Manchester, 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 haven't 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." His statement reflects a pragmatic approach: both players have their perspectives, and while the confrontation may have been uncomfortable, it has not altered their professional focus. Littler also touched on the broader context of his reception in different cities.
He admitted that Liverpool has never been particularly welcoming, largely because he is a vocal Manchester United supporter and has often mocked Liverpool’s fortunes on social media. However, he asserted that the hostility he encountered in Rotterdam – van Veen’s home base – was far more intense. "If it gets worse than that, then something's wrong," he said.
"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, Littler remains focused on the Premier League Darts 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 personal disputes. As he puts it, "Just playing darts, that's what I've done now, winning this night gives me confidence." His outlook suggests that while the Manchester bust‑up added a dramatic subplot to the season, the real story will be decided on the oche, where skill and composure ultimately determine the winner.
Fans can follow the unfolding drama and the upcoming matches through Sky Sports and the NOW streaming platform, which will broadcast live darts action, highlights, and expert analysis throughout the remainder of the league. The narrative of Littler versus van Veen serves as a reminder that professional darts, like any sport, can produce moments of tension, but the true measure of a competitor lies in how they respond when the lights are on and the darts are in hand.