Luke Littler openly acknowledges that, to date, he has not had a conversation with Dutch rival Gian van Veen following their heated exchange in Manchester, yet he maintains that the episode is now behind them. The two competitors found themselves at odds during a Premier League Darts match three weeks ago when the reigning 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 ignited a flurry of post‑match commentary on social media, with both men firmly defending their own perspectives. When asked about the status of their relationship, Littler confirmed that he has not reached out to van Veen. "No, we haven't spoken. I'm not the sort of person who goes over and initiates a chat," he explained.
He added that perhaps van Veen is waiting for him to make the first move, but Littler prefers to let others approach him first, even in practice settings. "I'm not the type to be chatting away," he said, emphasizing his reluctance to engage in small‑talk outside the competitive arena. Despite the lingering silence, Littler expressed optimism about the possibility of a future rematch. The two could potentially cross paths again if they both advance to the knockout stages in Aberdeen, Leeds, or Birmingham.
"We can obviously settle it on the darts board," Littler noted, "but backstage everything has been normal and the preparation routine hasn't changed at all." He believes the tension has largely faded for both parties. "I think he's forgotten about it. I've forgotten about it. I moved on the day after, went on holiday," he said, indicating that the incident no longer occupies his thoughts.
However, the fallout from the Manchester episode continues to echo in the crowd reactions he receives on tour. Fans have shown a mixed response to Littler since the incident.
In Rotterdam last week, he faced a hostile reception, and a similar unwelcoming atmosphere greeted him in Liverpool on Thursday. Nevertheless, he managed to silence the dissenters with a stellar performance, defeating Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton en route to a night‑time triumph. The victory not only boosted his confidence but also demonstrated his ability to thrive under pressure.
When pressed about any regrets, Littler was unequivocal: "No, I don't regret anything. Obviously I have my opinion, he's got his opinion, and we're both entitled to them. I think we've both moved on with our game on stage, but off stage, obviously we haven't spoken." He described the past couple of weeks as challenging but insisted he had to push forward. "Just playing darts, that's what I've done now, winning this night gives me confidence," he added.
Success on the Mersey, where Liverpool is situated, holds particular significance for Littler. He has never felt especially welcomed in the city, partly because he is an outspoken Manchester United supporter and often jokes about Liverpool's recent fortunes on social media. Still, he believes the hostility he encountered in Liverpool pales in comparison to the reception he received in van Veen's hometown of Rotterdam.
"If it gets worse than that, then something's wrong," Littler remarked. He described the Rotterdam crowd as the toughest he has ever faced, saying, "Rotterdam was far worse than tonight. I even proved to people last week that I can win games under those circumstances.
There was no anxiety; I just expected the worst, but it wasn't worse than Rotterdam. That's the worst I've experienced." Looking ahead, the Premier League Darts competition will continue every Thursday until the finals in May, with the ultimate champion to be decided on Sky Sports.
Fans can follow the drama live, stream matches via NOW, and stay updated with the latest news, videos, and analysis. While the on‑stage rivalry between Littler and van Veen may still be unresolved personally, both players appear ready to let their darts do the talking when the next encounter arrives.