Luke Littler and Luke Humphries Criticized for World Cup of Darts Flop, Fallon Sherrock Takes Break for Health Reasons
Littler and Humphries Face Backlash After World Cup Exit
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, England’s top-ranked darts duo, were heavily criticized following their shock 8-4 second-round defeat to Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko at the 2025 BetVictor World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt on June 14. The world No. 2 and No. 1, favored at 2/5 odds, struggled with a 36% checkout rate (4/11 doubles) and averaged 92.22 and 94.82, respectively, well below their usual standards, per Sky Sports. Gerwyn Price slammed their lack of “team ethic,” noting they didn’t arrive, sit, or practice together, saying, “They were rubbish,” per The Mirror. Sky Sports’ Wayne Mardle called their performance “astonishingly poor,” highlighting Germany’s consistency, per GiveMeSport. Littler’s quick stage exit post-match drew further criticism, with X user @GarethLivesey95 posting, “Littler isn’t a team player,” per. Both players have withdrawn from the Players Championship triple header in Leicester (June 17–19), suggesting a need to regroup, per PDC.
Fallon Sherrock’s Health-Related Break
Fallon Sherrock, the “Queen of the Palace,” announced a temporary break from darts due to health concerns following her first-round loss at the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship on December 17, 2024, to Ryan Meikle (3-2 in sets), per Sky Sports. Sherrock, who missed a potential clash with Littler, revealed on Instagram that she’s been managing a chronic health condition, believed to be related to kidney issues from 2017, which flared up during the Women’s Series, per GB News. “I need to prioritize my health and take some time off to address this properly,” she wrote, vowing to return for the 2025 Women’s World Matchplay (July 27), per Express. Her absence from Leicester events aligns with this recovery plan, per PDC.
Broader Context and Sentiment
The World Cup loss, England’s earliest since 2010, sparked debate about Littler and Humphries’ partnership, with Price’s comments fueling speculation about their off-stage dynamic, despite Humphries’ claim of a “fanatic friendship,” per SPORTbible. Littler’s history of frustration with German crowds, including a 2024 boycott threat, may have impacted his performance, per Daily Mail. Meanwhile, Sherrock’s health break has drawn support, with X posts like @DartsFanatic12 praising her resilience, per. The Leicester withdrawals, including Michael van Gerwen’s due to divorce proceedings, open doors for Challenge Tour players like Ted Evetts, per PDC.
