English darts player Dom Taylor has been kicked out of the World Darts Championship after failing a drugs test, the Professional Darts Corporation has confirmed.
Taylor had defeated Oskar Lukasiak of Sweden 3-0 in the opening round at Alexandra Palace and was due to take on Jonny Clayton in round two on Saturday evening.
But the 27-year-old’s tournament has come to an abrupt end after a random drugs test produced an ‘adverse analytical finding’.
In a statement released on Friday, the Darts Regulation Authority said: ‘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.’
Additionally, the PDC announced that Welshman Clayton has received a bye through to the third round.
Taylor, ranked 65th in the world ahead of the tournament, had been handed a two-year suspension from darts after testing for a banned substance in November 2024.
The ban was later reduced to three months after the substance in question was found not to be performance enhancing and was shortened further to one month after agreeing to complete a three-month treatment programme approved by UK Anti-Doping.
Speaking after his first round win at the WDC last weekend, Taylor described the ban as the ‘biggest let down of my life’ before adding: ‘But I’ve rebounded back, and here we are.’
Round two at Ally Pally gets underway on Saturday, with tournament favourite and World No.1 Luke Littler in action against David Davies on Sunday.
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