Darts player Dom Taylor has been handed a six-month ban by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) after testing positive for cocaine and cannabis at the World Darts Championship. This is Taylor’s second drug offense, leading to a mandatory suspension, the forfeiture of his £25,000 prize money, and the loss of his coveted tour card. Although the drug use occurred before the tournament, the severity of the repeat violation has led to significant consequences for his professional career.
The Shocking Revelation: Cocaine and Cannabis Positives
The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) confirmed that English darts professional Dom Taylor has been suspended for six months. This severe sanction follows a positive drug test conducted during the prestigious World Darts Championship, revealing the presence of both cocaine and cannabis in his system.
Immediate Consequences and Forfeitures
Taylor’s positive test has resulted in a cascade of immediate and significant penalties:
- Six-Month Ban: A mandatory suspension from all darts events, enforced by the DRA.
- Loss of Tour Card: His professional tour card has been revoked, impacting his ability to compete in future PDC events.
- Prize Money Forfeiture: Taylor has forfeited the £25,000 prize money he earned from his performance at the World Championship, where he notably defeated Oskar Lukasiak 3-0 in the first round.
These actions underscore the strict anti-doping policies in place to maintain the integrity of the sport.
A Second Offense: Why the Six-Month Ban?
A disciplinary committee hearing established that the drug offenses, specifically the ingestion of cocaine and cannabis, occurred prior to the World Championship, not during the event itself. However, the key factor in the length of the ban is that this marks Dom Taylor’s second drug-related offense under DRA rules.
The DRA statement clarified: “As this is Mr Taylor’s second offence, then under these Rules, he must serve a six month ban in line with 10.9 (a) and 10.9 (b) of UKAD Anti-Doping Rules 2021.” This highlights the zero-tolerance approach for repeat violations, even if the timing of the substance use wasn’t during competition.
Taylor’s Past Violation and Apology
This isn’t Taylor’s first encounter with anti-doping regulations. He previously served a one-month ban in 2025 after failing a drug test at the Players Championship Finals in November 2024. That initial two-year ban was significantly reduced after he agreed to undergo a UKAD-approved three-month Substance Abuse treatment programme, demonstrating a commitment to rehabilitation at the time.
Following his most recent test failure and expulsion from the World Championship, Taylor publicly apologized for his “blatant lying,” acknowledging the gravity of his actions and the impact on his career and the sport.
The DRA’s decision sends a clear message about adherence to anti-doping regulations and the consequences for those who fail to comply, particularly repeat offenders.
Source: Based on an article from Sky Sports – Sports News, Transfers, Scores | Watch Live Sport.
