Rob Cross at risk of punishment after obscene gesture during World ...

Rob Cross appeared to make a lewd gesture as he was knocked out of the World Darts Championship by Scott Williams and he could now be punished for his actions

Former world champion Rob Cross could be punished by the Darts Regulation Authority after he appeared to make an obscene gesture during his loss to Scott Williams on Monday.

Cross, who won the World Darts Championship back in 2018, was beaten 3-1 by Williams in their second round match as he became the latest big name to be eliminated early from this year's tournament.

A record number of seeded players have already been knocked out, with Cross becoming the 14th victim after the exits of Michael Smith, Dave Chisnall, Danny Noppert, Gary Anderson, James Wade, Ross Smith, Martin Schindler, Mike De Decker, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Gabriel Clemens, Gian van Veen, Ritchie Edhouse and Raymond van Barneveld.

And Cross could also find himself in hot water with the sport's authorities after he appeared to imitate a sexual act during his defeat to Williams. The gesture was caught on camera by Sky Sports and the 34-year-old may now be hit with a fine.

Williams is now set to take on Germany's Ricardo Pietreczko in the third round and he is feeling confident about his chances. "It's so tough, because Rob is one of my closest friends," Williams admitted after beating Cross.

"Neither of us were great tonight, but Rob missed doubles and gave me a chance, so when you get given opportunities, you've got to take it. I'm always confident, regardless of who I'm playing, but I'm just looking forward to having Christmas with the family now."

Williams reached the semi-finals at last year's tournament, where he was beaten by eventual winner Luke Humphries, and he joked before this year's edition that he tends to "only turn up in October, November and December".

Williams said: "People have joked, calling me the Michael Buble of darts because I only turn up in October, November and December! Over the last couple of years, that is about right.

"I want to try and change that next year by getting into a couple more TV events, just to take my game to the next level. It's about finding consistency with my practice. I've been tinkering with my equipment.

"Something that felt right a year ago might not feel right now. I need to try and figure out what that is. I think I have figured it out and I'll be fine for the World Championship, and then the new Wimau World Masters in January, which I'm really looking forward to."