Darts star risks fine as he aims X-rated gesture towards rowdy crowd | Other | Sport

PDC darts star Scott Williams gave a volatile response to fan abuse at the German Darts Grand Prix. The 35-year-old fell at the first hurdle in Munich, beaten 6-2 by Josh Rock.

However, it wasn’t just his opponent that Williams had difficulties with. He was also targeted by fans during his defeat and was heckled throughout the contest. It led to commentator Dan Dawson saying: “It’s fair to say he’s not a favourite of the fans here in Munich.”

Williams wasn’t able to ignore the crowd. During the latter stages, he appeared to be on the receiving end of an expletive as he stepped up to the oche, with one man allegedly shouting “f*** you” at the Englishman.

He responded by flicking a middle finger towards the crowd as he stepped up to the oche. His actions seemingly put him at risk of being fined by the Darts Regulation Authority, but fans online appeared to support his response.

“Hope he gets banned from darts… I mean the fan of course,” wrote @lHype2004. @Weeman170 added: “Brilliant response.” @mcr91bs wrote: “DRA Easter party incoming. But I support this fully.”

It’s not the first time Williams, 34, has been central to controversy in the sport. In December 2023, after his PDC World Championship win over Germany’s Martin Schindler, he sparked a row by citing the crowd noise.

“I’ve never had a crowd like that on my side before,” he said. “I know we won two world wars and one World Cup, but that was … and the German fans in here were huge.”

Rock will now face either Gerwyn Price or Raymond van Barneveld in the quarter-final. As for Williams, his wait for a first European Tour title continues.