Luke Littler has complained about referee Kirk Bevins' handling of a disruptive crowd during his dramatic 6-5 victory over Luke Humphries on night two of the 2025 betMGM Premier League in Glasgow.
The 18-year-old darts sensation claimed the official's attempt to silence whistling and jeering spectators at the OVO Hydro only made the situation worse.
Littler eventually prevailed in a tense battle that saw world number one Humphries fight back four times to level at 4-4 before taking a 5-4 lead.
"Kirk told them to be quiet and it got even worse, and then I missed doubles and Luke breaks at 5-4," Littler said after the match.
Luke Littler was delighted after winning night two of the Premier League on Thursday
PA
The teenage star expressed his frustration with the referee's intervention during the crucial moments of the match.
"If it's the same outcome as what it was when Kirk said it, then obviously just leave it," Littler explained.
He acknowledged the need for officials to maintain order but remained critical of the handling.
"Obviously, they've got to step in at some point and say something. But yeah, that was pretty bad, but I got the win," he said.
Luke Littler has complained about referee Kirk Bevins' handling of a disruptive crowd during his dramatic 6-5 victory over Luke Humphries on night two of the 2025 betMGM Premier League in Glasgow
PA
The disruption initially appeared to target Humphries, with Littler noting: "Yeah, obviously, there was a few in particular that were doing it when Luke was throwing."
Before his final showdown, Littler had shown remarkable resilience in the quarter-finals, mounting an impressive comeback against Rob Cross.
The Warrington youngster found himself trailing 5-1 before staging a remarkable recovery to secure a 6-5 victory.
He then produced a masterclass in the semi-finals, dispatching Michael van Gerwen 6-2 in convincing fashion.
Reflecting on his rivalry with the Dutchman, who defeated him in Belfast last week, Littler said: "I think everyone knows that I'm a quick starter, and that's probably second time that I've got a massive lead on Michael.
"Especially losing in the way I did last week, I just wanted to put it right this time. And that's what I did."
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Littler expressed satisfaction at securing maximum points early in this year's Premier League campaign as he looks to win the competition for the second year in a row.
"Obviously it took me the eight, nine weeks that it did," he reflected on last year's slower start.
"But during that I was always fourth, fifth, every week and I was picking up the points.
Luke Littler boosted his chances of winning the Premier League with victory over Luke Humphries on Thursday
PA
"But to pick up maximum points on week two is really good."
Humphries' path to the final saw him overcome Chris Dobey 6-4 in the quarter-finals, having beaten him in Belfast's opening night.
The world number one then defeated Gerwyn Price 6-4 in the semi-finals, taking four legs in a row, before ultimately falling short against Littler.
