Luke Littler has openly acknowledged that he has not spoken to Dutch rival Gian van Veen since their heated confrontation in Manchester, but he maintains that the issue has been put behind them. The two competitors found themselves in a tense exchange on‑stage during a Premier League Darts fixture three weeks ago, when the reigning back‑to‑back world champion was accused of gloating after van Veen missed a crucial match dart.
The incident sparked a chilly handshake at the conclusion of the match and a flurry of posts on social media, with each player subsequently reinforcing his own version of events. Littler confirmed that he has yet to clear the air with van Veen, yet he expressed optimism about a potential rematch should both players advance to the upcoming finals in Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham.
"No, we haven't spoken. I'm not the sort of person who goes up to someone and starts a conversation," he 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 added that he prefers to let the darts speak for themselves: "We can obviously settle it on the board, but backstage everything has been normal and the preparation unchanged. I think he's forgotten about it, and I've moved on – I went on holiday the day after." Despite the lingering silence, Littler is focused on his upcoming fixtures and the chance to meet van Veen again on the oche.
The fallout from the Manchester episode has not been without consequence. Littler reported receiving a hostile reception in Rotterdam last week and faced a similarly unfriendly atmosphere in Liverpool on Thursday.
Nevertheless, he managed to silence the critics with a spectacular performance, defeating Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton in a night that culminated in a decisive victory. When asked whether he regretted his conduct in Manchester, Littler was unequivocal: "No, I don't regret anything. I have my opinion, he has his, and we're both entitled to them.
We've both moved on with our game on stage; off stage, we simply haven't spoken. It's been a tough couple of weeks, but I had to keep going. Winning tonight gives me confidence and reminds me why I play darts in the first place." Success on the Mersey banks holds particular significance for Littler, who has never been warmly embraced in Liverpool. A self‑confessed Manchester United supporter, he has often teased the fortunes of the Anfield club on social media, which has not endeared him to the local crowd.
However, he noted that the hostility he encountered in Liverpool paled in comparison to the reaction he faced 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's the toughest I've experienced." Looking ahead, Littler remains focused on the Premier League Darts schedule, which will continue every Thursday until the finals in May. He hopes to use his recent triumphs to build momentum and perhaps finally settle the score with van Veen on the board rather than through words.
As the season progresses, fans can follow the drama on Sky Sports and stream the action via NOW, while the broader darts community watches to see who will ultimately claim the Premier League title. In summary, Littler acknowledges the silence between him and van Veen, insists the dispute has been left in the past, and is eager to let his performance speak for itself. The upcoming weeks will determine whether the two can meet again in a high‑stakes showdown, and whether any lingering tension will finally be resolved in the heat of competition.