Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting controversy explained as duo prepare for Premier League clash
Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting Set for Premier League Showdown
All eyes will be on Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting as they face off tonight in Exeter for a highly anticipated Premier League clash.
Their meeting comes just weeks after a controversial encounter at the World Darts Championship, where Littler defeated Bunting on his way to securing the title against Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace. However, their match sparked debate—not over the competition itself, but due to the mutual respect the players displayed throughout.
Controversy Over Sportsmanship
During their World Championship match, Littler and Bunting were frequently seen exchanging fist bumps and even shared a warm embrace at the end of the game. While many viewed this as a sign of good sportsmanship, others—including fellow darts player Dave Chisnall—found it unusual.
Writing for Kwiff, Chisnall expressed his disappointment with Bunting’s approach.
“The one big disappointment of the semi-finals was my pal Stephen Bunting,” he said. “He was phenomenal in the first set, but will have been gutted to lose it 3-2, despite the high averages.
“I’m not one for gamesmanship, and you won’t hear me slagging folk off, but I did think the fist bumps after every set were a bit weird.
“It was noticeable that Michael [van Gerwen] was having none of it in the final! He looked to be getting back to his best during the Worlds, which will be a worry for most of us other lads on tour.
“He missed too many doubles in the final, but he’ll be back. There aren’t too many folk who are three-time World Champions in their 30s.”
Bunting Responds to Criticism
Bunting, however, was unimpressed by Chisnall’s remarks, admitting that the criticism frustrated him.
“It does annoy me a bit that people pick up on that sort of thing,” the 39-year-old said. “That shows how well I’m playing—that they have to focus on a fist bump rather than a bad performance.”
Despite the controversy, Bunting made it clear that he has no plans to change his approach. As the two prepare to meet again in Exeter, fans will be watching closely to see if their sportsmanship remains a topic of debate—or if the focus shifts back to their performance on the oche.
