Darts star Gerwyn Price was forced to apologise to Luke Littler during their Premier League Darts play-off clash that saw the teenager angered by his opponent’s celebration.
Price was 9-5 down at the time, and would come back from what was 9-4 to level things up at 9-9, before losing to the Nuke in the last-four for the second year running in the final leg.
In the 15th leg, the Ice Man took out 170 – the highest-possible checkout in the sport – and celebrated with a traditional reeling in of a fish celebration to signal the big fish finish.
Littler, however, had already started the next leg, and complained to referee Huw Ware when he took his darts out of the board. At the end of the leg, Ware stepped in, and warned Price.
Price, though, was apologetic, and went over to Littler as the two exchanged words and a hug.
It comes just weeks after Littler clashed with World Championship final opponent Gian van Veen, after being accused of celebrating missed darts by the Dutchman.
Gerwyn Price (left) apologised to Luke Littler (right) after angering the teenager in the Premier League of Darts play-offs
In the final leg, van Veen missed double 15 to win the match, and turned around to the crowd, before throwing again, seemingly frustrated at Littler’s reaction as he said something in his direction.
Littler paused, before throwing his hand in the air in van Veen’s direction as if to urge him to hurry up.
After the clash, Littler tried to gee up the crowd, before missing his second and third match darts. As he walked away from the board, he made a crying gesture, seemingly aimed at his opponent, who would then go on to win the game.
Despite the two shaking hands, Littler continued to fume as van Veen spoke in his direction, and Littler said something to himself as he walked off stage.
After the game, the Dutchman suggested Littler had been cheering his missed darts, which seemed to come after van Veen’s initial miss before Littler threw his hand into the air.
Littler, who claimed he was trying to hype himself up to his family, recently revealed that the two have still not spoken, but that they will likely move past the issue when they cross paths again.
The teenager would ultimately beat Price in a last leg decider on Thursday, setting up a final with arch rival Luke Humphries, who beat Jonny Clayton in his own last leg decider in the other semi-final.
In a repeat of last year’s final, Littler this time got revenge following defeat 12 months ago, winning yet another last leg decider and pocketing the £350,000 prize money after both players missed match darts.
Littler (left) and his girlfriend Faith (right) were reduced to tears as the former opened up on his struggles this year
And, in two weeks, the two Lukes will join forces to represent England at the World Cup of Darts – looking to improve on their first round exit at the hands of Germany last year.
After the final, during his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Littler was left in tears as he spoke on the struggles he faced during the tournament.
He said: ‘After Brighton I came off stage and the incident in Manchester (with van Veen). I was sat at home saying to Faith (his partner), “I don’t want to do it anymore, just the crowd every week”. I said to her I’m down bad.’
Littler was consoled by Humphries as the fans at the O2 Arena sang his name. Faith was also seen in tears in the crowd.
Should players be allowed to celebrate freely, even if it upsets their opponents?
