LUKE LITTLER and Luke Humhpries have been sent a fierce warning ahead of their World Cup of Darts clash against Germany.
The England pair face Ricardo Pietreczko and Martin Schindler in the round of 16 in Frankfurt tonight.
Littler had previously gotten into a spat with Pietreczko and controversially slated Germany because of crowd problems.
He posted on Instagram: “Shouldn’t have been in Munich but had to play anyway.
“Next one in Germany for me is Dortmund and I am glad to say that.”
Pietreczko – nicknamed ‘Pikachu’ – said: “I think it was a very funny game against both Lukes, because Luke Littler says never come back to Germany.”
Schindler added: “I think the fans are going to play a major role in that.
“If we are going to play against bigger nations, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Netherlands or whoever, there are so many good names in it right now.
“I think this probably is the best World Cup to be in and we are very happy about the support we are getting from the fans.”
Littler clashed with ‘Pikachu’ in March when the German confronted him after being beaten.
Pietreczko explained: “Well, I really appreciated him being able to play a game like that at such an age, but I hope his arrogance punishes him.”
Littler claimed he had no idea what he had done wrong but acknowledged “everyone wants to beat him”.
Away from the oche, the top two players in the world, Humphries and Littler, were both awarded an MBE on Friday as part of the King’s Birthday Honours list for their contributions to sports.
The award is a glaring example of how darts’ growing appeal paralleled the pair’s rise to the top.
Humphries said: “I’m extremely honoured and delighted to be receiving an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to darts.
“To be recognised by the King for what I have achieved, and also for my contribution to playing in and promoting the sport that I love, is something that I never thought possible, but I’m very grateful that it has become a reality.”