World number one Luke Littler and rival Jan van Veen could be set to quickly reunite in Brighton after a heated row erupted in Manchester last Thursday.
The Dutchman said Littler was “not feeling well” after defeating the world champion in a hard-fought encounter last week.
In a tense decider, Van Veen missed a match dart and turned to find Littler celebrating in front of the home crowd, who then made an angry gesture at his opponent as he returned to Oche.
The world No. 1 then missed the chance to pitch in the match, and during his quarter-final win, coach Van Veen did not allow him to return, but Littler made a tearful gesture to the crowd and briefly shook hands with his rival.
If Van Veen defeats Van Gerwen in their respective quarter-finals and Littler sees off Bunting, the two players could meet in Brighton.
Littler says there’s nothing wrong with Van Veen case
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Van Veen explained the heated ending of the quarter-final against Littler in Manchester
Luke Humphries expressed some sympathy for rival Littler after his heated exchange with Van Veen, but claimed it would be “forgotten” in a few weeks.
“It comes with the territory. You’ve seen it many times over the years. Players have done it here and there. Sometimes you do something and you think, ‘Oh, I wish I hadn’t done that right now,’ but you’re in the middle of it.”
“It’s hot news right now. In two weeks it will all be forgotten, no one will remember and we will all move on.
“I don’t think we need that (needle) in the game. There’s nothing wrong with that sometimes. It’s not something we as players want to encourage. If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen.”
Mardle: Littler stuck his hand in the cookie jar.
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Wayne Mardle takes a closer look at what led to the fiery ending to the quarter-finals between Littler and Van Veen…
After the incident, Sky Sports’ Wayne Mardle explained how the match escalated in the heated AO Arena.
“I know exactly what happened,” Mardle said. “Van Veen went inside on D15 and Luke was happy about it, so Simon Whitlock complimented him and said, ‘Well done.’
“He shouldn’t have done that, and he did it, and Gian looked back and thought, ‘Why did I do that?’
“I can lip read, but I won’t repeat what Luke said because I don’t want to file a notice. I have to say Gian handled it better.”
Ms Mardle later added: “Luke did something he shouldn’t have done and it was an occasion[to celebrate]but Gian was not expecting to see Luke.”
“He stuck his hand in the cookie jar. He won’t do that again!”
Littler reacted to the controversial defeat by posting a list of TV titles on Instagram with the caption: “Good night, God bless you, thank you Manchester”, covering up the fact that Van Veen were eliminated in the last 16 of the European Championship, where they are reigning champions.
He also mocked Van Veen’s comment with three laughing emojis, saying Littler’s actions were “out of place.”
Luke Littler posted on Instagram after a heated Premier League darts match in Manchester
Is Humphries feeling the pressure?
Meanwhile, Humphries admits he has entered a pivotal stage in his Premier League title defence, with his fate still in his own hands despite mounting pressure to keep their play-off hopes alive.
Humphries are the defending Premier League champions but currently sit in sixth place with 11 points. Van Veen are fifth with 12 points, while Michael van Gerwen is in fourth place in the play-offs.
The world No. 2 player is yet to win a Premier League game this year, with Luke Littler winning three, Gerwyn Price and Johnny Clayton each winning two and Stephen Bunting one.
Humphries has qualified for next month’s Finals Night in London and will return to the Brighton arena on Thursday where he hit the magical nine-dart against Rob Cross last year.
Humphries, who has reached four semi-finals so far, has only reached the final once, losing 6-1 to Creighton on Night 11 in Brighton, on Night 6 in Nottingham.
The game took on added significance for Humphries as he enters a defining period of the Premier League season.
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Highlights of the Premier League Round 6 final between Johnny Clayton and Luke Humphries held in Nottingham.
“It’s probably a must-win game,” he told reporters. “I’m probably at the point of no return, where I can’t really afford to lose in the first round.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s too late. You don’t have to win that night. You just have to keep winning the first game and maybe win at least one night. That’s kind of how it’s been for me this year, I’ve got to try to sneak in there.”
Creighton, on the other hand, had won the opening game for six consecutive weeks, but then surrendered a seven-point lead in the tournament and fell to third place.
Is there ever a time for Humphries to panic?
Sky Sports Darts’ Wayne Mardle…
“He kept blaming himself a lot every time he missed a high score (in Manchester), which is not like him. I didn’t like that.”
“I don’t know if he feels pressure or if he feels like he has to win, but if he wants to, he will win.
“This is not the time to press the panic button. The situation is still in his hands.”
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Luke Humphries had the last laugh in Nottingham as he responded to the crowd in style as he defeated Luke Littler in the semi-final of Premier League Night 6.
Price, who achieved glory in Manchester by averaging 104.5, 112.9 and 105.8, ahead of Van Gerwen, Bunting and Van Veen, is aiming to reach the top of the table.
The 41-year-old returned to Brighton, who had lost their opening game in each of the previous two years, but won every night in 2023 – the same year they finished runners-up in the Premier League.
“I’m happy to be second,” Price said. Price will face the returning Josh Locke in the opening match of the night. “We just want to get two points every week.
“We’re probably all looking at the table. The table is in every player’s head.
“I think everyone still has a chance, even if Josh gets a few wins. He’s got a little bit more confidence now.”
What’s happening on Brighton’s Premier League night 10
The BetMGM Premier League season continues until night 10 in Brighton, when Van Gerwen takes on Van Veen in an all-Dutch showdown.
Humphries and Creighton will face off in the night’s opener, Price will take on Locke, and Littler and Bunting will lock horns in the quarterfinals.
Ranking points will be awarded each night, with five awarded to the winner, three to the runner-up and two to the semi-finalists, forming a league table where the top four players will advance to the final night at the O2 in London on Thursday 28th May.
Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will defend his title and the fight can be seen on Sky Sports every Thursday until May. Stream darts and other top sports now.
