English Darts player Dom Taylor has been knocked out of the World Darts Championship after failing a drug test at the tournament.
Taylor beat Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak 3-0 in the first round and was due to play Welsh-man Jonny Clayton, who will now receive a bye to the third round.
Taylor had previously served a two-year ban having tested positive for a banned substance. In the aftermath of his first-round win, the same day he was drug tested, he spoke of how difficult the ban was for him and how he had dealt with it.
Massively, biggest let down of my life. But I’ve rebounded back, and here we are.
Not speaking to anyone, keeping myself to myself, and practising.
Darts Fans Point Out Obvious Rules Mistake As English Player Banned Over Drugs Test
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There have been calls on social media for Lukasiak to be reinstated into the championship as opposed to giving Jonny Clayton a walkover.
With Dom Taylor being disqualified from the darts surely Lukasiak should come back in and take his position rather than Jonny Clayton getting a bye?
— Dan (@utd_thoughts) December 19, 2025
The PDC’s governing body, the Darts Regulation Authority, has released the following statement in regards to Dom Taylor on Friday December 19:
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.
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.
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