Gian van Veen left “fuming” by Luke Littler’s conduct in Manchester Premier League Darts clash

Gian van Veen admits he was left “fuming” by Luke Littler’s conduct on stage during their Premier League Darts showdown in Manchester on Thursday.

Van Veen defeated home favourite Littler in a feisty quarter-final at the AO Arena, surviving three match darts before edging over the line in a last-leg decider.

Tempers flared during the final leg of the contest after Littler appeared to celebrate when Van Veen had initially missed a match dart at double 15.

Van Veen looked to have noticed Littler’s reaction and turned round to express his bemusement, prompting Littler to throw his arms in the air and do a crying gesture towards the crowd.

However, Littler went on to miss further match darts at double seven, allowing Van Veen to return and seal a 6-5 victory, prompting a frosty handshake between the pair.

Van Veen has now won both of their Premier League meetings since his defeat to Littler in the World Championship final at Ally Pally in January.

Speaking about the incident, Van Veen told Sky Sports: “From my perspective I missed the double 15 and I looked around.

“I was fuming with myself that I hit it on the inside. I looked around. He was celebrating me missing and I was like ‘that is out of order.’

“I was fuming about that. I don’t know he probably saw it and missed three darts at double seven. He looked at me like I was the problem. I was like I don’t know what I did wrong. He was celebrating me missing. I thought that was out of order.

“He missed and I took it out, he’s probably fuming. That’s darts.

“That’s my perspective, probably his perspective is a different side of it but this is what I think.

“I love Luke to bits. He’s a fantastic player, he’s a fantastic guy for the sport as well. To see all the attention he has brought to the sport is phenomenal.

“But this is also part of it. Today was my day.”

Littler took to Instagram shortly after the match, posting a Wikipedia screenshot of his major titles with the caption: ‘Goodnight, god bless, thank you Manchester.’

He also responded to Van Veen’s post-match quotes with laughing emojis.

The duo are on a collision course to meet again in the semi-finals when the Premier League heads to Brighton for Night Ten next week.