Luke Littler has confirmed that, to date, he has not had a conversation with Dutch rival Gian van Veen following their heated exchange in Manchester, but he maintains that the incident is now behind them. The two competitors were at the center of a on‑stage confrontation during a Premier League Darts fixture three weeks ago, when the back‑to‑back world champion was accused of celebrating a missed match dart by his opponent.
The tension lingered after the match, culminating in a chilly handshake and a flurry of comments on social media as each player defended 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 over and initiates a chat.” He added that perhaps van Veen was waiting for him to make the first move, but Littler prefers to let others approach him, even in practice settings. “People will talk to me first if they want to,” he said, emphasizing his reluctance to engage in small‑talk. Despite the lingering off‑stage silence, Littler is eager for a possible rematch should the two meet again in the latter stages of the league. Both players could cross paths in the upcoming finals slated for Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham, depending on how the tournament unfolds.
Littler also addressed the broader atmosphere surrounding the dispute. He noted that, backstage, preparation and routine have remained unchanged. “We can obviously settle it on the darts board, but behind the scenes everything is normal,” he explained.
He believes that both he and van Veen have moved past the incident, adding, “I think he’s forgotten about it. I’ve forgotten about it. I went on holiday the day after and left it behind.” The fallout from the Manchester episode has not been limited to the players’ personal feelings. Littler has faced a noticeable shift in fan sentiment, encountering hostile reactions in Rotterdam last week and a similarly unfriendly vibe in Liverpool on Thursday.
Nevertheless, he managed to quiet the detractors with a stellar performance, defeating Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton en route to a night‑time victory. When pressed about any regret, Littler was unequivocal: “No, I don’t regret anything. Everyone has an opinion, and I respect his, just as I expect respect for mine.” He reiterated that while the two have continued to focus on their games on stage, off‑stage communication remains absent. “It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but I just had to get on with it.
Winning tonight gives me confidence and reminds me why I’m here – to play darts.” Success in Liverpool holds particular significance for Littler, who has never felt fully embraced by the city’s supporters. A self‑confessed Manchester United fan, he has often teased the fortunes of the Anfield club on social media, a stance that has not endeared him to the local crowd. Yet, he pointed out that the hostility he experienced in Liverpool paled in comparison to the reception he received in van Veen’s home base of Rotterdam. “The atmosphere in Rotterdam was far worse than anything I’ve faced here,” Littler remarked.
“I even proved last week that I can win under those conditions. There was no anxiety – I just expected the worst, and it wasn’t worse than Rotterdam. That was the toughest experience I’ve had.” Looking ahead, Littler remains focused on the remaining Premier League fixtures, which continue each Thursday until the finals in May. He acknowledges that the rivalry with van Veen adds an extra layer of intrigue, but his primary aim is to keep delivering strong performances and let the results speak for themselves.
As the league progresses, fans can watch the drama unfold on Sky Sports or stream the action through NOW, with the ultimate question lingering: who will emerge as the champion of this year’s Premier League Darts?