The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has issued a substantial fine of £21,400 to Dutch darts player Gian van Veen following a heated backstage altercation with teenage sensation Luke Littler after last week’s premier league match.
The incident, which was captured on venue security footage and later reviewed by the PDC’s disciplinary panel, took place moments after Littler’s narrow victory over Van Veen in the quarter-finals. According to multiple sources close to the tour, Van Veen confronted the 19 year-old prodigy in the player-only corridor, accusing him of “disrespectful conduct” during the match.
Eyewitnesses report that Van Veen, 22, approached Littler as the latter was heading toward the media mixed zone. The Dutchman allegedly gestured angrily and exchanged heated words, requiring tour officials to step between the two players. No physical contact was made, but the PDC deemed the confrontation a serious breach of its conduct regulations.
In a statement released Tuesday morning, the PDC confirmed the fine and issued a formal warning to both players regarding future behavior.
“Following a full investigation, Gian van Veen has been fined £21,400 for bringing the sport into disrepute and for conduct prejudicial to the interests of darts,” the statement read. “The sanction reflects the seriousness of approaching another player backstage in an aggressive manner. Luke Littler is not subject to any penalty.”
Van Veen has seven days to appeal the decision.
The fine — one of the largest ever issued by the PDC for a non-match-related offense — amounts to roughly half of Van Veen’s tour earnings this season. The Dutchman took to social media late Monday, posting a cryptic message: “The truth always comes out. See you on the board.”
Littler, who has taken the darts world by storm since his run to the World Championship final last December, declined to comment directly on the incident but told reporters at a scheduled appearance in Manchester: “I’m just focused on my game. What happens off stage stays off stage.”
PDC chairman Barry Hearn added that the governing body “will not tolerate intimidation or unprofessional conduct regardless of the players involved.”
The fine money will be donated to the PDC’s official charity partner, Prostate Cancer UK.
