Phil Taylor has urged darts authorities to take stronger action against abusive spectators after Luke Littler revealed he came close to walking away from the Premier League because of hostile crowds.The 16-time world champion has thrown his support behind the teenage sensation following an emotional period that culminated in Littler admitting he had questioned whether he wanted to continue competing.Littler, who successfully defended his Premier League title last week, was reduced to tears after his triumph before later opening up about the impact crowd hostility had on him throughout the campaign.The world No 1 faced boos and whistles at several venues, including Rotterdam, Liverpool, Aberdeen and Leeds.At one point, the teenager admitted he told girlfriend Faith Millar he no longer wanted to take part in the competition.Taylor understands better than most what it feels like to perform in front of a hostile audience.Throughout his legendary career, the darts icon frequently found himself cast as the villain when facing crowd favourites and emerging challengers.However, he believes there is a clear difference between sporting rivalry and personal abuse.Phil Taylor has urged darts authorities to take stronger action against abusive spectators after Luke Littler revealed he came close to walking away from the Premier League because of hostile crowds | PA”We’ve all gone through that,” Taylor said, per The Sun. “Every professional player has gone through that for years.”The darts great went on to argue that behaviour accepted in arenas would not be tolerated in many other environments.”If it was any other walk of life then people would be arrested for it,” he said.”The things we used to get called, you wouldn’t believe.”Five things to know about darts star Luke Littler | GB NEWS/GETTYTaylor then revealed there were occasions during his own career when abuse from spectators became difficult to ignore.”I never cried but I felt like jumping over the barrier and smashing somebody’s face in a few times, of course you do,” he admitted.”Many times I’ve had to ask security: ‘Tell them to shut their mouths.'”While Taylor believes experienced professionals can learn to cope with hostile atmospheres, he worries about the effect it could have on a teenager still at the beginning of his career.”For somebody who’s like 17 or 18 years old, it’s life-destroying,” he said.”The lad is up there trying to make a living and entertain people.”If Robbie Williams was on stage singing and getting abused, it wouldn’t happen.”The Stoke-on-Trent legend believes the solution is simple and called for tougher sanctions against offenders.Luke Littler recently won the Premier League for a second time | REUTERS”What is the solution? Just throw them out,” he said. “Hit them in the pocket.”They pay for a ticket. If they start whistling and booing and doing whatever they feel like, then out you go. They won’t do it again.”Taylor and Littler are both sponsored by Target Darts and remain close through their shared association with the manufacturer.The 65-year-old revealed he intends to speak with the reigning world champion when the opportunity arises.”When I see him, I’ll have a chat,” Taylor said.”Because it can go one of two ways now.”It’ll either ruin his career or it’ll make him stronger.”But he shouldn’t be abused and I do feel for the lad.”