Luke Littler hits out again after late rule drama - 'One rule for one, one for another'

After he was blocked from competing at a Players Championship event earlier this week for being late, Luke Littler has claimed other darts players were not dealt with the same strict repercussions. The 18-year-old reigning world champion was barred from participating in Players Championship 33 in Wigan.

He was scheduled to compete in the second-to-last PC event before the finals next month in Minehead. However, due to heavy traffic, he missed the 11am registration deadline and had to forfeit his spot in the competition, which was subsequently filled by darts prodigy Charlie Manby. A man had been killed in the very traffic incident which caused him to be late. His disqualification did not have too much effect on his current ambitions, as the world No2 had already secured enough points to guarantee his place in the finals.

He did make a return to the Robin Park Tennis Centre for Players Championship 34. Following the tournament, he took to Instagram to voice his grievances, alleging other players have been permitted to participate in events despite arriving late.

His post read: "Not the best day today but played some decent stuff. But really glad to hear from a few of the other players that people have been let in almost half an hour late for a pro tour, but I can't be two minutes late. Says a lot. One rule for one and one for another."

In the competition, Littler triumphed over Jamai van den Herick and Cameron Crabtree, but was defeated by Canadian player Matt Campbell in the last 16. It's been a challenging week for the young star.

Beyond being denied entry earlier this week, his quest for European Championship glory was dashed in the quarter-finals. He suffered a 10-7 defeat to fellow British darts icon James Wade in their showdown in Germany.

The teenage ace had emphatically demolished Raymond van Barneveld 6-1 in his opening encounter, yet failed to recapture his clinical edge against the Machine. Following his exclusion from competing in Wigan, Littler instead enjoyed a Chinese meal with his loved ones.

He also shared a screenshot from a news report detailing what seemed to be the very tragedy that caused the motorway chaos he encountered.

A man tragically died in what police described as a "serious incident" on the M6 near Wigan. Emergency crews, including an air ambulance, rushed to a welfare concern between junction 25 towards the Bryn Interchange and junction 26 leading to Orrell/M58 at approximately 10.15am.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed: "Around 10.15am this morning, we were called to a concern for welfare report on the M6 between junctions 25 and 26. Sadly, a man was pronounced dead at the scene. A scene will remain in place while inquiries are ongoing."

Littler subsequently posted on his Instagram story expressing his sincere condolences to those impacted. He said: "Missed registration today for the pro tour, but someone sadly lost their life thinking of everyone."