The bitter war of words within professional darts has escalated to a formal disciplinary complaint, as former World Champion Gerwyn Price has submitted a video compilation to the PDC featuring Luke Littler making what he describes as “lewd and inappropriate gestures” during World Matchplay matches.
Price, who has had a frosty relationship with the teenage sensation since Littler’s meteoric rise, is now calling for the 19-year-old to face a three-year suspension from the sport—a punishment that would effectively end Littler’s career in its infancy.
The Welshman, known for his own fiery on-stage antics, submitted the dossier to PDC officials on Thursday evening, just hours after Michael van Gerwen’s explosive interview blaming the governing body for favoring Littler. The timing has led many to believe Price is capitalizing on the current anti-Littler sentiment among the sport’s old guard.
“I have compiled over 20 separate incidents from the last 18 months,” Price told reporters. “Finger gestures, crotch grabs, simulated acts directed at opponents and the crowd. If I did that, I’d have been fined into oblivion. But because he’s the golden boy, everyone looks the other way. Three years is fair—send a message that no one is above the rules.”
The compilation, which Price claims runs nearly four minutes long, is understood to include footage from Littler’s breakout 2024 World Championship campaign through to his most recent Matchplay appearances in July 2026. Price argues the gestures constitute “bringing the game into disrepute” under PDC Rule 3.2, which prohibits “unbecoming conduct” and “offensive actions.”
Littler, who is currently preparing for the upcoming World Grand Prix, dismissed the complaint as “desperate” in a brief social media post: “Price is clutching at straws because I keep beating him. Three years? He should be thanking me for keeping the sport relevant. My ‘gestures’ are celebrating with the crowd—nothing more.”
The PDC has confirmed receipt of the complaint but declined to comment on whether an investigation has been launched. A spokesperson stated: “All disciplinary matters are handled internally and confidentially. We will review any submitted evidence in due course.”
The darts community has reacted with disbelief at the severity of Price’s demand. Three-year bans are typically reserved for doping violations or match-fixing—not on-stage celebrations.
Sky Sports pundit and former pro Wayne Mardle weighed in: “A three-year ban? That’s absurd. A fine? Possibly. A warning? Sure. But asking for three years over hand gestures is personal vendetta, not justice. Gerwyn knows exactly what he’s doing—he’s piling on while Michael’s rant is still fresh.”
Fans have also turned on Price, with social media flooding with memes mocking the Welshman’s own history of on-stage confrontations, including his infamous clash with Van Gerwen at the 2020 Grand Slam where he celebrated provocatively in his opponent’s face.
Price, however, remains defiant: “People will say I’m bitter. I don’t care. I have a young daughter who watches these events. What message does it send when a kid can grab himself on live television and get away with it? The PDC has to act—or they prove Van Gerwen right.”
Legal experts note that even if the PDC finds Littler in breach of conduct rules, a three-year suspension is virtually unheard of. A more likely outcome would be a formal warning or a moderate fine, similar to the £2,000 penalty handed to Price himself in 2021 for unsportsmanlike behavior.
Meanwhile, Van Gerwen has remained uncharacteristically quiet on Price’s intervention, though sources close to the Dutchman suggest he “appreciates the support” but did not endorse the ban request.
Littler’s management team has released a terse statement: “Luke will not be distracted by baseless accusations. His focus remains on winning titles. We are confident the PDC will see this for what it is—a frustrated opponent attempting to win off the board what he cannot win on it.”
As the PDC reviews the footage, the sport finds itself embroiled in its ugliest internal conflict in decades. With Van Gerwen’s ranking crisis, Price’s formal complaint, and Littler’s superstar status, the oche has become a battleground far beyond the treble twenty.