Former world darts champion Rob Cross handed five-year ban as director over £450,000 tax debt

Former world darts champion Rob Cross has received a five-year suspension from acting as a company director after his business failed to pay over £450,000 in tax.

Darts legend Cross, who defeated Phil Taylor in the 2018 World Championship final, is facing a massive ban from being director of his own company.

The British government's Insolvency Service revealed that, between 2020 and 2023, the Englishman withdrew more than £300,000 of money due to be given to creditors from his company Rob Cross Darts Limited.

In response, Cross has been handed a ban which stops him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, unless he is given permission from the court.

To pay off the debts, the 34-year-old has agreed to enter into a Individual Voluntary Arrangement, legally committing to making regular payments to an insolvency practitioner.

According to the government report, Cross set up his company in May 2017 to help him receive all of the earnings and prize money from his darts career

Between March 2020 and November 2023, when the company was liquidised, the company received more than £1m from Cross's earnings.

In this period, the company had only paid £41,936 to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

When it went into liquidation, the company owed a total of £403,896 in corporation tax, £49,071 in VAT and £12,436 in PAYE and National Insurance contributions.

Meanwhile, Cross's director's loan account in the company was also overdrawn by £423,608, with Sky Sports claiming that Cross admitted that this was 'to the risk and ultimate detriment of HMRC'.

The Insolvency Service also claimed that over £650,000 had been paid into the personal account of a separate connected party

Kevin Read, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: "When directors fail to pay the correct amount of tax, it directly impacts the government's ability to fund vital public services such as the NHS, schools, transport infrastructure and our national defence."

"This case demonstrates that we will pursue action against directors who deprive the public purse of much-needed funds. The rules apply equally to everyone in business, and we expect all company directors to comply with their legal responsibilities."

Cross is currently set to play in the Nordic Darts Masters in Copenhagen this weekend, but it is unclear if this news will impact his appearance.

SPORTbible have approached Rob Cross' representatives for a comment.