Dom Taylor has been disqualified from the PDC World Darts Championship after failing a drugs test.
The 27-year-old returned an ‘adverse analytical finding’ following his first round match at Alexandra Palace.
Taylor beat Oskar Lukasiak 3-0 during the afternoon session on Sunday, December 14.
The victory included a trio of 100+ checkouts from the Ally Pally debutante.
He had been due to face Jonny Clayton in the second round on Saturday evening.
However, ‘the Ferret’ has now received a bye into the last 32 as a result of Taylor being removed from the draw. The fifth seed will face either Michael Smith or Niels Zonneveld in the third round after Christmas.
DRA statement
A statement from the PDC’s governing body, the Darts Regulation Authority, read: “In line with its ongoing anti-doping procedures the PDC and DRA are conducting drug testing during the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
“On 19 December, the DRA was notified of an adverse analytical finding in respect of the player Dom Taylor resulting from a test conducted on 14 December.
“As a result of this and in line with relevant DRA processes, Dom Taylor has been suspended from participating in any DRA regulated events with immediate effect.
“This matter will now be the subject of a disciplinary process in line with the relevant DRA Anti-Doping Rules.
“The DRA will not be making any further comment pending the outcome of this confidential process.”
Taylor had been making his debut at the PDC World Darts Championship after missing out 12 months ago.
The Tower had qualified last year but was suspended by the DRA ahead of the Players Championship Finals.
He ultimately received a one-month ban for a failed drugs test after it was determined the banned substance was not performance enhancing and had been taken outside of competition.
Having returned to the PDC Pro Tour this year following his ban, Taylor once again qualified through the Pro Tour Order of Merit.
Taylor reached two floor event semi-finals in 2025 along with a further quarter-final in May.
The Bristol-born dartist had reflected on his previous ban after beating Lukasiak last weekend.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Taylor was asked how difficult it had been to return from the suspension.
He admitted: “Massively, biggest let down of my life. But I’ve rebounded back, and here we are.”
Paul Nicholson’s verdict
talkSPORT’s Paul Nicholson has given his verdict on Taylor’s failed drugs test.
The former PDC star said: “I think things are about to get very real for Dom Taylor.
“We’ve been lauding his talent for the last few years, saying that his area of the country and the country that he represents, England, have a very good darts player.
“Unfortunately, his reputation is completely shot because, not only has he failed once, but he has spoken with the media this event post-win about putting things right.
“And he lied, and that is one of the things that really hits home today.
“When you lie and you tell fibs in front of the media about things that you’ve done in the past and what you’re doing that day, that will not sit well with the regulation authority and I expect there to be a twofold attitude towards this, because there should be some help.
“He’s a professional darts player with a PDPA membership, which is mandatory when you come onto the PDC Tour, so the PDPA’s responsibility is to hive him some assistance.
“I really hope they give him that because he deserves it. But at the same time, I think the Darts Regulation Authority have got to throw the book at him because this is not a first time offence.”
Nicholson added: “I’ve had my dealings with the DRA about conduct. This is not necessarily about conduct, I suppose there’s a little bit of it because of the lying aspect.
“They don’t like that, they really don’t, but from the indiscretion point of view, I think when you look at previous cases, not necessarily for a positive test, they do not like to make an example of someone so that it’s a lesson for other people to learn.
“We have had positive tests in the past with other players. I don’t think it’s right to mention them right now because they’re individual cases. But this is a two-time test that’s gone wrong for Dom Taylor.
“And I think throwing the book at him is taking every penny he’s earned at this tournament. I don’t think it’s fair on Oskar Lukasiak.
“Now you can have the argument that this could be performance enhancing, we don’t know what the substance is, but something’s got to be learned from this for the next generation, this will not be tolerated.”
As a result of Taylor’s removal from the draw and Clayton’s walkover victory, Saturday’s evening session will feature just three matches.
The opening night of second round action will be headlined by Stephen Bunting’s clash with Nitin Kumar.
Meanwhile, former world champion Smith faces Zonneveld in the first match of the evening.
Chris Dobey’s meeting with Andrew Gilding completes the line-up of last 64 matches.
