World darts champion Luke Littler has condemned the actions of an overzealous supporter who physically accosted him at his Prague accommodation on Friday evening.
The 18-year-old sensation took to social media to express his frustration after being seized from behind by an individual seeking a photograph.
The incident occurred as Littler arrived at his hotel ahead of the Gambrinus Czech Darts Open, where he is competing for the £30,000 top prize.
Despite accommodating several photo requests from waiting supporters around 11:20 PM local time, one person crossed acceptable boundaries by grabbing the teenager without permission.
Luke Littler had an altercation with a fan outside his hotel
|PA
Littler detailed the confrontation in his social media post, revealing that after declining the physical approach, he faced verbal harassment from another individual.
"And for the fella who came up to me and my dad shouting, 'Oi', and then saying my behaviour is bad and I'm not bigger and better than anyone," the young champion wrote.
JUST IN: Rafael Nadal makes feelings clear on Andy Murray after football jibe: 'He is an a**hole!'
The darts prodigy emphasised his stance against such conduct, stating in capital letters: "DO NOT GRAB ME FROM BEHIND because that's bad behaviour, not me."
"Because as soon as he's grabbed, I said, 'Do not grab me,' and walked away."
Luke Littler took to social media to release a statement on the incident
|The Prague tournament represents another opportunity for Littler to extend his remarkable winning streak.
The world number two seed faces Scotland's Cameron Menzies in Saturday's second-round encounter, having received a first-round bye in the 48-player competition.
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
Luke Littler has often been targeted during events around Europe
| ReutersThe teenager enters the Czech event in exceptional form, having secured victories at July's World Matchplay before triumphing at both the Australian and New Zealand Darts Masters.
His most recent success came just last week at the Flanders Darts Trophy.
Defending champion Luke Humphries stands as the primary obstacle to Littler's ambitions at the PVA Expo venue, which hosts the tournament from September 5-7.
This latest confrontation adds to Littler's troubled experiences with European audiences, particularly in Germany where he has encountered persistent hostility.
The young champion faced sustained booing during April's Munich Grand Prix, admitting afterwards to Sky Sports: "I had a little head loss moment, I don't get it and can't explain it."
Similar treatment plagued his appearances in Hildesheim and during June's Darts World Cup alongside Luke Humphries, where German supporters' antagonism contributed to their unexpected early exit.
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have a special relationship on and off stage | PAFollowing these incidents, Littler contemplated avoiding German tournaments entirely, though he remains scheduled to compete at October's German Darts Championship in Hildesheim for another £30,000 prize.