Dom Taylor will be able to resume his darting career as the new season kicks off this week at the Winmau World Masters in Milton Keynes, beginning with the preliminary rounds on Wednesday.
Taylor had tested positive in late November after returning a positive sample for a banned substance. His case underwent a full hearing by the Darts Regulatory Authority (DRA), and he admitted to the breaches of the anti-doping rules. With the matter resolved, Taylor is now free to return to competitive darts.
Although Dom Taylor admitted to taking the banned substance, it was consumed outside of competition, which initially led to a two-year ban. However, it was later determined that the substance in question was not performance-enhancing, which led to a reduction in the ban.
Additionally, completing a Substance of Abuse treatment program further reduced the ineligibility period to just three months. As a result, Taylor, who had shown great promise in his opening season on the PDC Tour, will be free to continue with only a one-month ban. He missed the World Championship due to this late ban but is now looking to make up for lost time at the Winmau World Masters in Milton Keynes this week.
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This development also ensures that Taylor’s situation is resolved before the start of the new ProTour season. Had Taylor been banned or ineligible, it would have likely opened the door for Beau Greaves to step up to the tour. Now, Taylor will continue his career and heads into the final year of his Tour Card, eager to make an impact as the new season begins.
A statement from the Darts Regulatory Authority (DRA) concluded the following: “In the circumstances, the Committee determined that Mr. Taylor will be subject to a one-month ban. This is conditional on his completion of an appropriate UKAD-approved treatment program. Should Mr. Taylor fail to complete this course within the next four months, the ban will be extended by an additional two months. Mr. Taylor will also be liable for the costs of these proceedings.”
