A British darts player has been removed from the World Darts Championship after failing a drugs test, the sport’s governing bodies have confirmed.
The player, who holds a tour card on the professional circuit, was provisionally suspended after returning an adverse analytical finding during routine testing at the tournament held at Alexandra Palace. Officials acted swiftly, with the individual withdrawn from the competition while an investigation is carried out.
The case is being handled by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA), which oversees discipline and anti-doping matters in the sport, alongside UK Anti-Doping procedures. Under the rules, the player has the right to request analysis of the B sample and to provide an explanation before any final sanction is imposed.
In a brief statement, the DRA confirmed that it could not comment further while the process is ongoing, but reiterated its commitment to maintaining integrity and fairness across professional darts. The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) echoed that stance, stressing that all competitors are subject to the same testing protocols.
The incident has sent a ripple through the World Championship, an event widely regarded as the sport’s flagship tournament. Fans and fellow professionals have reacted with surprise, while also acknowledging the importance of strict enforcement of the rules.
Potential penalties range from a short suspension to a lengthy ban, depending on the substance involved and whether mitigating circumstances are accepted. Any punishment would be decided following the conclusion of the disciplinary process.
For now, the focus remains on due process, with officials emphasising that no final judgment will be made until all evidence has been reviewed.
