Gian van Veen is ready to “bury the hatchet” with Luke Littler after their Manchester spat but stands by his opinion on his rival’s behaviour.
The pair clashed during their Premier League quarter-final a fortnight ago when Littler appeared to celebrate his opponent missing a match dart before gesturing to Van Veen to get back to the oche.
It ended in a frosty handshake and some afters on social media but Littler, who denied celebrating Van Veen’s missed dart, said in an interview this week that it was time to move on.
Van Veen is not wavering on his opinion of Littler’s behaviour, which he called “childish”, but has no hard feelings towards the world champion.
Asked whether they needed to clear the air, he replied: “It’s a difficult one. Like for myself, not really. He said his piece the other day.
“I still have the same view as I had two weeks ago when it all happened and if he wants to bury the hatchet then fine.
“I don’t have any hard feelings towards him and I don’t know how it is the other way around but we’ll see how it goes.
“He’s got his opinion and he’s entitled to it. I still have mine, I still have the same opinion as I had two weeks ago, straight after the incident happened.
“I’ve looked back at it, I’ve seen the videos and I still stand by my opinion and you know, it is what it is and we’ll just have to go forward with it.”
The rivalry could be renewed in the semi-final of Thursday’s Premier League event in Rotterdam, where Van Veen would have home advantage.
The 23-year-old sees the possibility of a future friendship with Littler and hopes the pair can face each other again soon.
Asked whether they could be friends, he said: “For sure. Like I said, there’s no hard feeling from my side.
“It’s all happening in the heat of the moment and of course, you know, he’s got his opinion, I’ve got mine but yeah, that’s how it goes.”
The spat has been a talking point for two weeks and in a time where the sport’s top stars have been accused of being too friendly with each other, Van Veen says a bit of needle can be good – as long as he’s not involved in it.
“I enjoy it but only if I’m not involved. I think that’s the best for me. I think it’s good for the sport to have a bit of needle here and there but you never want to be involved.”
Van Veen must beat Luke Humphries in the quarter-final to set up a tie with Littler, who opens against Gerwyn Price.
Home favourite Michael van Gerwen takes on Jonny Clayton and Josh Rock takes on Stephen Bunting.
