Luke Littler has confirmed that, to this day, he has not had a conversation with Dutch rival Gian van Veen following their heated encounter in Manchester, but he maintains that the issue is effectively behind them. The two competitors were involved in a public dispute during a Premier League Darts match three weeks ago when the defending back‑to‑back world champion was accused of celebrating a missed match dart by his opponent. The incident sparked a chilly handshake at the conclusion of the game and a flurry of comments on social media, with each player sticking firmly to his own version of events.
Littler admitted that he has not "cleared the air" with van Veen, yet he expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of meeting him again on the oche. Both players could cross paths once more if they advance to the finals slated for Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham later in the season. "No, we haven’t spoken.
I’m not the type of person who goes up to someone and starts a conversation," Littler told Sky Sports. "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." He went on to explain his approach to conflict, saying, "I’m not the sort of guy who chats away after a match.
We can settle everything on the darts board, and backstage things have been normal and the same as always in terms of preparation. I think he’s forgotten about it, I’ve forgotten about it. I moved on the next day, went on holiday, and that’s that." The fallout from the Manchester incident has lingered for Littler, who has faced a wave of negativity from fans since the spat.
He reported a hostile reception in Rotterdam last week and another unwelcoming atmosphere in Liverpool on Thursday. Despite the boos, Littler managed to silence his critics with a strong performance, defeating Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton on his way to a night‑long victory.
When asked whether he regretted his actions in Manchester, Littler was unequivocal: "No, I don’t regret anything. Obviously I have my opinion, he has his opinion, and we’re both entitled to them.
I think we’ve both moved on with our game on stage, but off stage, we still haven’t spoken. 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 on the Mersey’s banks holds special meaning for Littler, not just because of the prize money but also due to the personal context. He has never felt warmly received in Liverpool, largely because he is a vocal Manchester United supporter and has often mocked the fortunes of the Anfield club on his social platforms.
However, he noted that the reception in Liverpool was still milder compared to the atmosphere he encountered in van Veen’s home city of Rotterdam. "If it gets worse than that, then something’s wrong," Littler remarked. "Rotterdam was far worse than tonight. I even proved last week that I can win under those circumstances.
There was no anxiety – I just expected the worst, but it wasn’t any worse than Rotterdam. That was the toughest experience I’ve had." Looking ahead, Littler is focused on the remainder of the Premier League Darts campaign. He acknowledges that the rivalry with van Veen adds an extra layer of intrigue, but he insists his primary goal remains the same: to compete, improve, and collect victories. "We’ll see if we meet in the finals.
If we do, the darts will speak for themselves. Until then, I’m just concentrating on each match, each practice session, and staying mentally sharp." Fans can continue to follow the drama and the high‑quality darts action every Thursday as the league moves toward its May finals. Sky Sports will broadcast the remaining fixtures, and viewers can stream the matches via the NOW platform.
The Premier League Darts schedule, tables, highlights, and podcasts such as "Love the Darts" are all available for those who want to stay up‑to‑date with the latest developments, including the evolving story between Littler and van Veen.