Van Veen Says Littler's Actions Were 'Out of Order' After Manchester Darts Match

Dutch darts player Gian van Veen called rising star Luke Littler's actions 'out of order' after a close 6-5 win in Manchester. This is the first time Van Veen has won against Littler in the Premier League.
By Newsroom | Sports, Darts |

The aftermath of a Premier League Darts quarter-final match in Manchester has ignited a dispute between Dutch player Gian van Veen and rising star Luke Littler, with Van Veen accusing Littler of unsportsmanlike conduct following a narrow 6-5 victory for Van Veen. Van Veen stated that Littler's actions, including mimicking crying gestures and what he perceived as celebrating his missed darts, were "out of order." The incident occurred during the deciding leg of their encounter, a moment that overshadowed Van Veen's hard-fought win.

'Littler was out of order' - Van Veen seething after fiery clash in Manchester - 1

Van Veen, speaking after the match, expressed his frustration with Littler's behaviour. He recounted missing a double 15 attempt and then observing Littler "celebrating that I missed." Van Veen added that he was "fuming with myself that I missed" and found Littler's reaction unacceptable. This exchange marked a fiery conclusion to a match where Littler's bid for a third consecutive Premier League win was cut short.

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The controversy escalated when Littler, after missing a crucial dart himself, reportedly gestured in a crying motion towards Van Veen. This retaliation came after Littler took exception to Van Veen turning towards the crowd during a pivotal moment. Van Veen, however, maintained composure to secure the win.

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Background on the Players and Tournament

Luke Littler, the world No 1, had been a dominant force in the Premier League, securing consecutive victories in Dublin and Berlin. His match against Van Veen, held at the AO Arena in Manchester, was highly anticipated, with Littler considered the favourite on home turf.

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Gian van Veen's victory was a significant achievement, particularly given his recent struggles. He had not secured a win in the competition since week four and was still recovering from kidney stones that had forced him to miss an earlier event in Dublin. Despite these challenges, Van Veen displayed resilience throughout the match, even recovering from a deficit to clinch the win. He later went on to defeat Josh Rock in the semi-finals, further solidifying his performance on the night. The 'Premier League Darts' continues with ongoing matches and standings, accessible on platforms like Sky Sports.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Gian van Veen say Luke Littler's actions were 'out of order' after their Manchester match?
Van Veen was upset because he felt Littler celebrated him missing a dart and made crying gestures. He said this behaviour was not acceptable during their Premier League Darts quarter-final.
Q: What happened during the tense deciding leg between Van Veen and Littler in Manchester?
During the final leg, Van Veen missed a dart, and he claims Littler celebrated his miss. Littler then reportedly made a crying gesture after Van Veen took exception to him turning to the crowd earlier.
Q: What was Luke Littler's recent performance in the Premier League before the Manchester match?
Luke Littler had won his last two Premier League Darts matches in Dublin and Berlin. He was aiming for a third straight win when he played Van Veen in Manchester.
Q: What is the background of Gian van Veen's win against Littler in Manchester?
Van Veen had not won a Premier League match since week four and was recovering from kidney stones. His 6-5 victory over Littler was a significant win for him, and he later beat Josh Rock in the semi-finals.