“They’re all just lunatics, drunk in the crowd” – Former Olympians critical of Dutch fans after Littler’s treatment

The behaviour of a section of the Dutch crowd during the World Series of Darts Finals continues to stir debate. Luke Littler in particular bore the brunt in Amsterdam. The reigning world champion was repeatedly booed during his matches. Former hockey internationals Ellen Hoog and Naomi van As have little sympathy for that conduct.

Hoog discussed the events in her weekly podcast with Van As for Sportnieuws.nl. According to her, the opening matches of Littler were particularly heated. “There was a lot of whistling, there was a lot of unsporting Dutch crowd behaviour,” Hoog observed.

Littler eventually reached the quarter-finals, where Jonny Clayton proved too strong with a 10-4 win. That match was relatively calm, but in earlier meetings with Danny Noppert and Nathan Aspinall the Englishman took plenty of stick. “He beat Danny Noppert, but he was heavily booed there. It’s unsporting, but I think it does come with darts a bit.”

Van As wondered whether such behaviour truly belongs in the sport. Hoog argued it is certainly not a uniquely Dutch phenomenon. “It happens in England too. It happens everywhere. It’s just a bunch of nutters in the crowd, drunk, dressed like Mario Kart, and then they just whistle.”

At the same time, Hoog believes Littler himself also plays a part in how the crowd responds. The 19-year-old Englishman repeatedly interacted with the stands across the weekend.

“He does invite it a little,” Hoog continued. “Danny stirred it a bit as well, because he hit a 180 and celebrated a touch too close to Littler. Littler then turned back to the crowd and did a bit of goading.”

That does not change, the former hockey player added, how difficult it must be to perform under those conditions. Noise from the arena can heavily affect concentration, especially on the oche.

“You have to be able to handle it. You need such focus to throw those darts, and then the crowd starts shouting and yelling. You really have to shut it out and not let it rattle you. That’s hard.”

During the tournament, Littler indicated he might skip Dutch events if the crowd’s treatment did not change. It is now confirmed he will not play the Euro Tour in Maastricht.

Hoog can understand that, after Amsterdam, Littler has less appetite to play in the Netherlands. “He’s had it in Germany too. I get why he says it. It was extreme. Of course they should tone it down.”

Van As then floated whether limiting alcohol at darts events could be a solution. Hoog sees little merit in that. She argues it mainly risks fans drinking heavily before entry.

“We’ve had that discussion before, but then everyone comes in plastered. They’ll all be so drunk before they even get there, so I don’t think that works either.”