Sky Sports Darts pundit left ‘flabbergasted’ by Luke Littler’s behaviour during bad-tempered Van Veen clash

Former darts star Mark Webster has admitted he was left “flabbergasted” by last week’s heated clash between Luke Littler and Gian van Veen.

The two players were caught in a tense exchange after Van Veen appeared unhappy with Littler’s reaction during their Premier League Darts showdown in Manchester.

The 19-year-old Littler gestured to the crowd after the Dutchman missed a crucial double 15 to seal the match, a move that didn’t sit well with Van Veen.

Despite the moment of friction, Van Veen held his nerve to edge a dramatic 6-5 victory before both players went their separate ways. However, he later criticised Littler’s actions, branding them “out of order” after the match.

Webster, a former BDO world champion, backed Van Veen and insisted there was “no need” for Littler’s response following that missed dart.

Speaking to Paddy Power, Webster said: “I was a bit flabbergasted by it all really. I don’t see what the problem was for Luke, and I think Gian conducted himself really well.

“Gian naturally turned around in disappointment after missing the match dart and Luke was just geeing up the crowd.

“I think Gian took a bit of reservation to that but I don’t think there was any need for the sort of reaction after [from Littler].

“Gian composed himself well to get it together, and Luke’s just got to refocus this week.”

Van Veen has since suggested that relations between the pair may remain strained, admitting he is unlikely to be “friendly any time soon” with Littler following the incident.

Littler is no stranger to crowd attention, often drawing mixed reactions, and another lively atmosphere is expected for Night Ten in Brighton this week.

He is set to face Stephen Bunting in the opening round, with Webster warning it could prove a “tricky assignment” for the reigning world champion.

Webster added: “He’ll get a little bit of a hard time from the crowd because it’s fresh in their memory and he’s playing a fans’ favourite in Stephen Bunting.

“This could be a tricky assignment for Luke Littler. He’ll want to prove a point. He likes to hit back at the crowd if they’re having a go at him.

“I’m not saying it’s a perfect environment for him, but it’s not something that bothers him. You’re going to get a reaction and he’ll put in a brilliant display.”

Reflecting on the altercation, Van Veen explained his side of the story: “From my perspective, I missed the double 15. I looked around and I was fuming with myself that I’d hit it on the inside.

“And I looked around and he was doing this towards the crowd, he was celebrating me missing.

“I was like, ‘that’s out of order’. I was fuming about that and I don’t know, he probably saw it.

“He missed three darts for double seven and he looked at me like I was the problem.

“I was like I don’t know what I did wrong because you’re celebrating me missing and I thought that was out of order.”