Tensions are mounting between darts stars Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen ahead of Thursday's Premier League opener, with the Dutch champion criticising his teenage rival for arriving 45 minutes late to a players' photoshoot in Belfast.
Van Gerwen has called for the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) to stop giving special treatment to the 18-year-old sensation, who recently defeated him in last month's World Championship final.
The controversy erupted after Littler kept seven other players waiting at the promotional event on the Titanic slipway.
Van Gerwen expressed his frustration in stark terms about the incident.
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"They (the PDC) need to stop treating him like a baby - he's not a baby any more, he's 18 years old," the Dutch star said.
"He has to learn, it's a professional sport so you have to be responsible for your actions," van Gerwen added.
"If he turns up late for an interview, I don't care - but there were seven other people waiting for him. That's not very nice, is it?"
Littler brushed off the criticism, revealing he had simply dozed off in his hotel room.
"You know what Michael's like. He called me lazy. I was just laughing at him," Littler said.
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The teenage star appeared unfazed by van Gerwen's comments as he looked ahead to their upcoming clash.
"I've not watched the whole (Ally Pally) final back - only the winning double. He's going to be up for it, he's going to be hungry. But I am up for it as the reigning champion," he added.
The rivalry between the two players will reignite on Thursday as Littler begins his Premier League title defence.
Luke Littler hit back at Michael van Gerwen after his furious rant on Wednesday
PA
The match will be a rematch of last month's World Championship final, where Littler emerged victorious over van Gerwen.
The upcoming 17-week Premier League campaign will see the players competing across seven different countries.
Both Littler and world number one Luke Humphries are currently favoured by bookmakers to claim the tournament victory.
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Michael van Gerwen lost to Luke Littler in the World Darts Championship final last month
Reuters
Littler has noted a concerning pattern in his recent matches, where opponents raise their game specifically against him.
"Does it annoy me? Oh yeah. Oh, it does annoy me," Littler said. "They will probably play the 64th in the world and throw a mid-90s average but still get the win."
The young champion has experienced this trend throughout 2025, losing three matches despite averaging over 100 points.
"When they do beat me with a high average, I am like, 'Yeah, you have got me there, but can you do it in the next game?'" he added.
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