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  "path": "/sport/darts/gian-van-veen-luke-littler-outburst-premier-league-darts",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-02T21:41:47.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Luke Littler shocks fans as he storms off stage after defeat to Gian van Veen in Premier League",
    "Fifa charges thousands for World Cup final tickets as England fans rage at 'ridiculous' cost",
    "Jockey defends actions during controversial ride after official investigation opened",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nGian van Veen has launched a scathing attack on Luke Littler following their fiery Premier League Darts quarter-final encounter in Manchester this evening.\n\nThe Dutch player had established a commanding 4-1 advantage before Littler fought back to level the contest at 5-5.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTensions flared when both competitors were poised on a finishing double.\n\nVan Veen accused the teenage sensation of celebrating when he narrowly missed double 15 on the inside.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Dutchman also criticised Littler, who performed a mocking, crying gesture during the heated exchange.\n\nVan Veen ultimately secured victory after Littler squandered three attempts at a double to close out the match.\n\nSpeaking to Dutch broadcaster Viaplay, Van Veen detailed the confrontation: \"I'm on 90 and miss double 15 on the inside, and then I see him cheering towards the crowd. I don't think that's normal.\n\n\"And then he makes that crying gesture too...He is a great darts player, but today he shows that he is not a good loser.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe added: \"Cheering over an opponent's miss really annoys me. So that's why I gave him an angry look.\n\n\"That he then misses three darts at a double, that's his problem.\"\n\nThe triumph held particular significance for Van Veen, who was competing in his first Premier League fixture since undergoing surgery to have kidney stones removed.\n\nHe told Viaplay: \"The last few weeks have been very tough. And to beat Luke Littler now feels really good. The way it happened, that doesn't really matter to me.\"\n\n### LATEST SPORT NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * Luke Littler shocks fans as he storms off stage after defeat to Gian van Veen in Premier League\n  * Fifa charges thousands for World Cup final tickets as England fans rage at 'ridiculous' cost\n  * Jockey defends actions during controversial ride after official investigation opened\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle offered his analysis of the flashpoint.\n\nHe said: \"I know exactly what happened. Gian van Veen went inside on D15 and Luke was happy about that so kind of gave it the Simon Whitlock 'well done'.\n\nMardle added: \"You shouldn't do that. You have got to say that Gian handled it better.\"\n\nSupporters took to social media to condemn Littler's behaviour during the clash.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOne fan wrote: \"Of all people, he tries picking out Gian van Veen, the most innocent and respectful man on tour, what an absolute t****r Luke Littler is.\"\n\nAnother declared that Littler \"hasn't covered himself in any glory at all there, behaved like a complete muppet.\"\n\nFurther criticism poured in, with one viewer branding his actions \"pathetic\" and urging him to \"get a grip.\"\n\nA fourth supporter remarked that the teenage star had \"made himself look like a right mug\" following the controversial scenes at the Manchester venue.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Gian van Veen launches scathing attack on Luke Littler following Premier League Darts outburst"
}