Cross discusses receiving 'vile' social media abuse: "People need to understand that the stuff they say can create issues"

Rob Cross has started to find his form again during this year's Premier League Darts but has still received criticism for his pause on his throw.

Cross lashed out at Wayne Mardle last week about it and said recently that it isn't just the Sky Sports pundit that does it detailing abuse he has received over the past 12 months about his pause and form.

Read also

Cross on recent criticism from Mardle: "If Wayne wanted to have that much of an opinion, tell him to pay my bills"

“I get a lot of stick on social media, actual abuse about my form and my pause before throwing a third dart. I’ve had family death threats and so much more, it’s vile," said Cross to Oche.

“I didn’t get any of that abuse when I was beating Michael (Van Gerwen) and Phil (Taylor) before winning the World Championship in 2018 and I was pausing before my last dart then. The pundits didn’t criticise me then on TV, they said I was ultra cool under pressure!

“Trouble is, stuff is said, I get analysed and I understand that’s what pundits are paid to do. To be fair, no one minds constructive criticism. But at times it’s not constructive, it’s just disrespectful.

“But when players get criticised that then turns into abuse online. Every player feels the same about this.

“Social media is toxic, we all know that. A lot of it I know is now just part of the job. It is my responsibility in the way I use social media at a low level, not to read the abuse. But people need to understand that sometimes the stuff they say can create issues.

“It’s such a shame because the vast majority of fans are great to communicate with and I love some of the banter. I think every player loves that element of social media. Sadly a few are ruining it for the rest.

“I totally stand with all the footballers who have received racial abuse. I stand with the football clubs Rangers, Birmingham and Swansea who have stayed off Twitter for a week to make a point.

“Social media needs user verification so abuse can be identified. It’s such a simple answer, like a driving licence for online use. It makes you wonder why it’s not being sorted.

“I’ve had a really tough year away from darts with family grief and all sorts. It’s tough when you constantly are dealing with new problems which are being created elsewhere!”