Luke Littler openly acknowledges 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 competitors were involved in a public on‑stage argument during a Premier League Darts match three weeks ago, when the back‑to‑back world champion was accused of celebrating a missed match dart by his opponent.
The confrontation ended with a chilly handshake and a flurry of comments on social media, with each player sticking firmly to his own version of events. Littler confirmed that he has not “cleared the air” with van Veen, yet he expressed optimism about the prospect of a future rematch. Both players could potentially meet again if they advance to the knockout stages in Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham.
When asked about any plans to reach out, Littler said, “No, we haven’t spoken. I’m not the type of person who goes over and initiates a conversation. Maybe he’s waiting for me, but I’m not the sort of guy who does that, even in the practice room – people usually talk to me first.” He added that he prefers to let the darts themselves settle any lingering tension, noting that backstage preparations have remained routine and unchanged. “I think he’s forgotten about it, and I’ve forgotten about it as well,” Littler explained.
“I moved on the next day, went on holiday, and didn’t dwell on it.” Despite his calm exterior, the fallout from the Manchester incident has lingered. Fans have turned hostile toward him in several venues. In Rotterdam last week, he faced a markedly unfriendly crowd, and a similar atmosphere greeted him in Liverpool on Thursday. Nevertheless, Littler managed to silence the dissenters with a stellar performance, dispatching top‑ranked players Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton on his way to a night‑time victory.
The controversy surrounding his conduct in Manchester has generated extensive debate, yet Littler insists he harbors no regrets. “I don’t regret anything,” he said. “I have my opinion, he has his opinion, and we’re both entitled to them.
On stage we’ve both moved on, but off stage we haven’t spoken yet.” He described the past couple of weeks as challenging but emphasized that he simply had to keep playing. “Winning tonight gives me confidence and reminds me why I’m here – it’s all about darts.” A win on the Mersey’s banks carries particular significance for Littler. He has never felt fully embraced by Liverpool supporters, largely because he openly supports Manchester United and frequently jokes about Liverpool’s recent fortunes on social media. Still, he noted that the hostility he encountered in Liverpool paled in comparison to the reception he received in van Veen’s hometown of Rotterdam.
“The atmosphere in Rotterdam was far worse than anything I experienced in Liverpool,” Littler remarked. “I even proved last week that I can win under those conditions.
I went in expecting the worst, but it wasn’t any worse than Rotterdam – that was the toughest crowd I’ve faced.” He added that if the situation ever deteriorated further, it would signal a deeper problem within the sport’s fan culture. Looking ahead, Littler remains focused on his game rather than the drama. He reiterated that the only arena where the dispute can truly be settled is the darts board. “We can obviously settle it on the darts board, but backstage everything has been normal and the preparation the same,” he said.
The upcoming stages of the Premier League Darts tournament will determine whether the two may cross paths again, with potential match‑ups slated for the semifinals in Aberdeen, Leeds and Birmingham. Fans can follow the unfolding story and catch every Thursday’s action through the finals in May via Sky Sports, with streaming options available through NOW. The Premier League Darts schedule, tables, highlights and related podcasts such as the “Love the Darts” show provide extensive coverage for those who wish to stay updated on the rivalry and the broader competition. In summary, while Littler has not yet extended an olive branch to van Veen, he appears unfazed by the surrounding controversy and is determined to let his performance speak for itself.
With his recent victory over several of the sport’s elite players and a resilient mindset, he looks poised to continue his ascent in the Premier League, regardless of the lingering tension off‑stage.