Taylor given one-month ban after failed drugs test

Dominic Taylor has been given a one-month ban by the Darts Regulation Authority after failing a drugs test.

The 26-year-old Englishman tested positive for a banned substance at a Players Championship event last year.

The case came to light when he was withdrawn shortly before a match against former world champion Michael Smith at the Players Championship finals in November.

Taylor was immediately suspended and missed out on playing in the World Championship, but is now free to return at the World Masters in Milton Keynes - where he is due to compete in the qualifying rounds on Wednesday.

The world number 82 from Bristol attended a disciplinary hearing where a potential two-year ban was reduced after he proved the substance - which has not been named - was not performance enhancing and was taken outside of competition.

He also committed to completing a three-month treatment programme approved by UK Anti-Doping.

"Although he had tested positive in competition the committee were satisfied that the ingestion of the prohibited substance took place out of competition," the DRA said.

Taylor, who won a Challenge Tour title in 2023, earned a two-year Professional Darts Corporation tour card in January 2024 after progressing through qualifying school.