Excitement at the Darts World Cup
World champion is thrown out – and irritates with an obscene gesture
12/24/2024 – 12:24 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The Darts World Cup was over for former world champion Rob Cross on Monday. The Englishman irritated with a clear gesture during the game – and is likely to be punished for it.
The death of favorites at this year’s Darts World Cup continues. After top stars such as Raymond van Barneveld, Michael Smith and Gary Anderson as well as the actually strongest German players Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler had to give up in the last few days, Rob Cross was also hit on Monday evening. The 2018 world champion lost in the second round of the tournament to his compatriot, Englishman Scott Williams. In the end it was 3:1 for the outsider.
But it wasn’t just Cross’s early exit that attracted a lot of attention that evening at London’s Alexandra Palace. During the duel, the 34-year-old made a gesture that was quite irritating.
What had happened? Cross had just lost the second set to Williams. While leaving the stage in the meantime, he raised his right hand towards his mouth, briefly moved it back and forth and at the same time pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek. A clearly obscene act.
It is not known exactly what Cross was referring to with the gesture. So far he has not commented on this. But one thing is clear: He is likely to be sanctioned by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA). A fine is possible.
His opponent didn’t feel provoked at all by “Voltage” (Cross’s nickname). Scott Williams and the former electrician have a close friendship, as last year’s semi-finalist revealed after his victory.
“First of all, I didn’t even notice it,” Williams said of the incident during the game. “Secondly, I don’t actually care what he did.” Williams emphasized that he spoke to Cross both before and after the encounter. “I love him, he’s great,” he explained. “Anyway, see you today, over Christmas and in the next few months.”