Arabic version: صيحات الاستهجان ضد ليتل تثير مخاوف بشأن مستقبل السهام

According to BBC News, Luke Littler has withdrawn from a series of upcoming events after being booed and whistled at during the World Series of Darts in Amsterdam. The 19-year-old said there was “just no point in me travelling, wasting my time while I’m getting booed”.

Littler faced a hostile response while pursuing a clean sweep of all 10 major televised tournaments in a calendar year. During his last-16 win over Nathan Aspinall on Saturday, the referee stopped play to warn the crowd about its behaviour. Littler had also been booed during his victory against Dutch favourite Danny Noppert on Friday.

His quarter-final defeat by Jonny Clayton ended the clean-sweep attempt. Littler said afterwards that he would not attend events in the Netherlands if the booing continued. He has also been jeered at numerous events in the UK.

Samuel Gill, editor of Dartnews.com, said there was a “real fear” Littler could leave the sport within a few years if taunting persists. Gill said Littler’s rapid success, trophies and growing profile may have turned some fans against him, while noting Michael van Gerwen faced a similar reaction during a dominant period.

Karl Holden, secretary of St Helen’s Darts Academy, said Littler is “the ultimate professional” and that his ability and personality help make darts compelling. Gill said Littler has helped lift the sport’s profile, with tickets for events featuring him often selling out and applications to darts academies reported to be at an all-time high.