Darts sensation Dom Taylor has received a significant six-month suspension from professional darts after failing a drug test for cocaine and cannabis. This marks his second anti-doping violation, leading to severe consequences: he loses his coveted Tour Card, must forfeit £25,000 in prize money, and will have to re-qualify for the tour through Q-School. In a surprising turn of events, this ban directly benefits fellow player Mario Vandenbogaerde, who now automatically retains his tour status without needing to attend Q-School.
Dom Taylor’s Darts Career Hits a Major Snag
The darts world is buzzing with the news of Dom Taylor’s latest suspension. This isn’t his first brush with anti-doping rules; he faced a previous ban in late 2024. This second offense, confirmed by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) rules, comes after a seemingly promising run at the World Darts Championship.
Taylor had managed to advance past the first round at Alexandra Palace, and his post-match interview suggested a new, focused Dom to his fans. However, those hopes were quickly dashed when the results of his drug test, taken on December 14, 2025, became public.
The Disciplinary Process and Findings
The official statement from the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) outlines the sequence of events:
- December 14, 2025: Dom Taylor undergoes a drug test at the World Darts Championship.
- December 19, 2025: The DRA Chairman suspends Dominic Taylor following a positive sample for a banned substance.
- January 7, 2026: A full hearing takes place before the DRA Disciplinary Committee. Taylor admits to breaching the Anti-Doping Rules.
Crucially, despite the positive test occurring during the competition, the Committee was satisfied that the ingestion of both cocaine and cannabis took place “out of competition” – meaning it happened before the World Championship officially began on December 11, 2025.
Severe Consequences for a Second Offense
Under the UKAD Anti-Doping Rules 2021, specifically sections 10.9 (a) and 10.9 (b), a second anti-doping breach, even if the ingestion was out of competition, carries a stipulated sanction. For Taylor, this translates to a six-month period of ineligibility.
The impact of this ban is multifaceted and severe for Taylor:
- Six-Month Suspension: He is ineligible to compete in professional darts for half a year.
- Forfeiture of Prize Money: Taylor must rescind the £25,000 prize money he earned at the World Championship.
- Loss of Tour Card: This is a major setback, as it means he loses his direct entry into professional tournaments.
- Q-School Requirement: To regain his place on the professional tour, Taylor will now have to re-enter and succeed at Q-School.
- Costs of Proceedings: He has also been ordered to cover the costs associated with the disciplinary hearing.
Mario Vandenbogaerde Benefits
While this news is a significant blow to Dom Taylor, it brings unexpected relief to another player: Mario Vandenbogaerde. With Taylor’s suspension and loss of his Tour Card, Vandenbogaerde now secures his spot on the tour without the need to go through the rigorous Q-School process. What is bad news for one dart player is good news for another, highlighting the direct impact of such disciplinary actions on the wider professional circuit.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
