Luke Littler openly acknowledges that he has not had a conversation with Dutch darts star Gian van Veen since the heated encounter they had in Manchester three weeks ago, but he insists the incident has been put behind them. The two competitors found themselves at odds during a Premier League Darts match when Littler, a back‑to‑back world champion, was accused of celebrating a missed match dart by his opponent. The tension culminated in a chilly handshake after the game and a flurry of comments on social media, with each player standing firmly by his own version of events. When asked about the situation, Littler said, "No, we haven't spoken.
I'm not the kind of person who goes up to him and tries to smooth things over. Maybe he's waiting for me to make the first move, but I don't do that. Even in the practice room, people usually approach me first." He added that he prefers to let his performance on the oche speak for itself, noting, "I’m not the type to chat endlessly. We can settle any score on the darts board, and backstage everything has been normal.
I think he’s moved on, and so have I – I went on holiday the day after and left it behind." Despite his calm exterior, Littler admits the fallout from the Manchester dispute has lingered, especially among fans. He reported hostile reactions in Rotterdam last week and a chilly reception in Liverpool on Thursday, though he managed to win over the crowd with a spectacular victory that saw him defeat Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton in a single night.
The win, Littler says, helped restore his confidence after the negative buzz. When pressed about any regrets, Littler was unequivocal: "No, I don't regret anything. Everyone has their own opinion, and I respect that.
On stage we both focus on our game, off stage we haven’t spoken, but that’s fine. It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but I just had to keep going. Winning tonight gives me confidence and reminds me why I love this sport." Littler’s relationship with certain crowds has always been a bit fraught. As an outspoken Manchester United supporter, he has often teased Liverpool’s fortunes on social media, which has not endeared him to the Anfield faithful.
Nevertheless, he says the reception in Liverpool was far less severe than what he experienced in Van Veen’s home city of Rotterdam. "Rotterdam was far worse than tonight. I proved I can win even under that pressure. There was no anxiety – I expected the worst, but it wasn’t any worse than Rotterdam.
That was the toughest environment I’ve faced." Looking ahead, Littler is already eyeing a possible rematch with Van Veen. The two could meet again if they both advance to the Premier League finals, which are slated to take place in Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham later in the season. "If we both make it to the finals, we’ll settle it on the board.
Until then, I’m just focusing on my game and staying ready for whatever comes next," he explained. The broader context of the Premier League Darts season remains electrifying.
Fans can follow the weekly Thursday fixtures through to the May finals on Sky Sports, with live streaming available via the NOW platform. The league continues to deliver high‑stakes drama, unexpected rivalries, and moments of brilliance that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
In summary, while the verbal sparring between Littler and Van Veen has yet to be resolved through a direct conversation, both players appear determined to let their darts do the talking. Littler’s recent triumphs, despite a mixed reception from certain crowds, demonstrate his resilience and focus. As the season progresses toward its climax, the darts community will be watching closely to see whether the two will finally clash again on the oche, potentially putting the Manchester incident to rest once and for all.