Luke Littler booed again at Premier League of Darts
Luke Littler faced a chorus of boos for the second consecutive event as he made his entrance to the oche on night 12 of the Premier League of Darts, reports BritPanorama.
The 19-year-old, currently ranked world number one, was met with hostility from the Liverpool crowd at the M&S Bank Arena, which drowned out his walk-on song “Greenlight” by Pitbull. Despite the negative reception, Littler chose not to react to the crowd’s jeers, instead applauding the fans as he took to the stage.
Prior to this event, Littler had been the subject of intense scrutiny following a clash with Dutch player Gian van Veen. In their previous encounter, an altercation arose after Littler was perceived to have celebrated Van Veen’s missed match darts, leading to accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct.
This evening, Littler competed against Luke Humphries in a quarter-final match, where he secured a 6-2 victory, demonstrating resilience despite the hostile atmosphere. Sitting in second place in the league, he aimed to recreate the success he achieved in rounds five, seven, and eight, where he claimed his only victories of the season thus far.
Having reached the final in the prior competition against Jonny Clayton, Littler faced disappointment after losing to the Welsh player, who currently leads the Premier League standings. Clayton’s unexpected rise has garnered attention, especially as many initially anticipated a lower placement in the league for him, alongside players like Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock.
Pre-event predictions suggested both Littler and Clayton were likely to secure a position within the top four, with Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen also in contention. Clayton reflected on his recent performances, expressing determination to prove critics wrong, especially after comments that labeled him a contender for the bottom position within the league.
Littler’s challenging reception in Liverpool can be attributed to a combination of factors, not least his strong support for Manchester United, which has previously alienated him from local fans. Just last year, he stirred controversy by mimicking the scoreline of an Everton victory over Liverpool, a move that likely would not win him favour in Merseyside.
The dynamics within the Premier League continue to evolve as players navigate the pressures of competition and public sentiment, demonstrating how closely sport and community identity intertwine, and how even the most celebrated figures can polarize opinion.
