Luke Littler to miss German Darts Grand Prix after row with Gian van Veen
Luke Littler is set to miss the German Darts Grand Prix this weekend, with his absence from that competition coming after an explosive row with Gian van Veen, reports BritPanorama.
The tensions escalated on Thursday night at the AO Arena in Manchester, where the established decorum of darts was notably breached. During a pivotal moment in their match, Van Veen missed a crucial dart at double 15. In response, Littler celebrated exuberantly, inciting the crowd while disregarding the customary silence expected in such scenarios.
This prompted Van Veen to react incredulously at the breach, which led to Littler responding with an aggressive ‘crying’ gesture aimed at his opponent. However, Littler’s jubilant celebration proved ill-timed, as he subsequently missed three match darts himself at double seven, allowing Van Veen to secure a narrow 6–5 victory with a check-out on double six.
After the match, Van Veen, visibly frustrated, labelled Littler a ‘bad loser.’ In contrast, Littler doubled down on social media, responding with laughing emojis amid the fallout. While it initially appeared that Littler’s withdrawal from the upcoming Grand Prix was linked to the incident, it has since been clarified that the decision is part of his recovery from the demanding schedule of competitive darts.
This marks the second European Tour event in Germany that the 19-year-old has opted to skip this year, continuing a trend of prioritising his well-being despite the strong competition landscape. Notably, both Van Veen and fellow Dutch player Michael van Gerwen are set to compete this weekend along with other Premier League stars, Jonny Clayton and Josh Rock.
Commentator Wayne Mardle reflected on the incident, suggesting that Van Veen handled the confrontation more gracefully than Littler. He highlighted that Littler’s celebration after Van Veen’s miss crossed an unwritten line, provoking the latter’s mixed emotions.
In a sport where psychology often outweighs skill, this incident underscores the complexities that players navigate, where moments of levity can swiftly turn into fumbles of competitive integrity. As both players prepare for their next matches, the aftermath of this altercation serves as a stark reminder of how the lines between sport and personal rivalry can blur, revealing the intense pressures athletes face both on and off the oche.
