In a stunning development that has rocked the world of professional darts, teenage sensation Luke Littler has made an explosive claim against prominent sports promoter Barry Hearn, accusing him of coercion into match-fixing.
The 19 year-old prodigy, who burst onto the scene with historic performances at the World Darts Championship, dropped the bombshell during a late-night livestream on Tuesday.
“I can’t keep quiet anymore,” Littler said, visibly agitated. “Barry Hearn threatened me to join in match fixing. He told me if I didn’t comply, my career would be over before it started.”
Littler alleged that the approach occurred several months ago, shortly after his meteoric rise brought unprecedented attention to the sport. He claimed Hearn used his influence to suggest that manipulating certain match outcomes would be “good for business” and for Littler’s own financial future.
“I’m just a kid who wants to play darts,” Littler continued. “But they wanted me to throw matches. Control the betting. I said no, and that’s when the threats started.”
Barry Hearn, 75, the long-time face of professional darts through the PDC, has not yet issued a detailed personal response. However, a spokesperson for the PDC told reporters: “These allegations are completely false and deeply damaging. Barry Hearn has dedicated his life to integrity in sport. Mr. Littler has made no such complaint through official channels. We urge caution before accepting unsubstantiated claims made on social media.”
The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) confirmed late Wednesday that it has opened a preliminary inquiry and will request a formal statement from Littler and his legal team.
Fans and fellow players have reacted with disbelief. Former world champion John Part tweeted: “If true, this is the biggest scandal in darts history. If false, it’s a tragedy for a young man’s career.”
Littler’s management team declined to comment on the record but confirmed they are “reviewing the situation” and have been in contact with both the PDC and legal advisors.
The news has already sent shockwaves through the betting industry, with several major bookmakers suspending markets on upcoming PDC events pending further investigation.
