Luke Littler has confirmed that, to date, 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 were involved in a public on‑stage dispute three weeks ago during a Premier League Darts fixture, when the back‑to‑back world champion was accused of gloating after his opponent missed a crucial match dart. The confrontation culminated in a chilly handshake at the end of the match and a flurry of posts on social media, with each player subsequently sticking to his own version of events. When asked about the situation, Littler admitted that he has not yet “cleared the air” with the Dutchman.
“No, we haven’t spoken. I’m not the sort of person who goes up to him and tries to make peace,” he said. “Maybe he’s waiting for me to make the first move, but that’s not how I operate – even in the practice room, people usually approach me first. I’m not the type to start a chat.” Despite the lingering silence, Littler expressed optimism about a possible rematch.
The two could meet again if they both advance to one of the upcoming finals in Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham. He added that any unresolved tension can be settled on the oche, noting that backstage preparations have remained routine. “I think he’s forgotten about it, and I’ve forgotten about it as well.
I moved on the next day, went on holiday,” he explained. The fallout from the Manchester incident has continued to affect Littler’s reception from fans.
He reported hostile reactions in Rotterdam last week and an unfriendly atmosphere in Liverpool on Thursday, though he managed to quiet the dissenters with a dominant performance that saw him defeat Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton en route to a night‑time victory. While the crowd’s reaction has been mixed, Littler insists he harbours no regrets about his conduct in Manchester.
“I don’t regret anything,” he stated firmly. “I have my opinion, he has his, and we’re both entitled to them. On stage we’ve both moved on, but off stage we haven’t spoken yet.
It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but I’ve just had to keep going. Playing darts is what I do, and winning tonight gives me confidence.” Success on the Mersey’s banks would mean more to Littler than many of his other triumphs. He acknowledged that he has never been warmly received in Liverpool, largely because he is a Manchester United supporter and has frequently teased the fortunes of the Anfield club on social media.
Nevertheless, he argued that the hostility he faced in Liverpool pales in comparison to the reception he endured in Van Veen’s home city of Rotterdam. “Rotterdam was far worse than tonight,” Littler said. “I even proved last week that I can win under those conditions. There was no anxiety – I just expected the worst, but it wasn’t worse than Rotterdam.
That was the toughest experience I’ve had.” Looking ahead, the Premier League Darts season will continue to unfold each Thursday until the finals in May, with the remaining fixtures being broadcast on Sky Sports and available for streaming via NOW. Fans can follow the competition’s schedule, table and highlights, as well as tune into the “Love the Darts” podcast for deeper analysis.
While the rivalry between Littler and Van Veen remains unresolved off‑stage, both players appear focused on delivering high‑quality darts and letting their performances speak for themselves as the league moves toward its climax.