Darts player Dom Taylor apologises after positive drug tests
Darts player Dom Taylor has issued a public apology following two positive tests for banned substances within 14 months, resulting in his removal from the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace, reports BritPanorama.
The 27-year-old from Bristol was expelled from the tournament on Friday after an “adverse analytical finding” from a sample collected on December 14, shortly after his opening-round victory over Oskar Lukasiak.
In a detailed Facebook post, Taylor expressed remorse for deceiving his family, friends, sponsors, and fans, admitting to “blatant lying” during his interview post-match. He acknowledged the dishonesty he exhibited with himself and others during this time.
“The first thing I need to say is sorry!! I’m sorry to every single one of my family, friends, sponsors, management team and most important of all, you guys. All my fans, be it outside of darts or inside of darts,” he stated. Taylor also mentioned the trauma from his youth, including the death of his grandmother at a young age and various personal challenges, which he believes contributed to his struggles.
“I know everyone, including my dad and family, are very upset and disappointed in me. The anniversary of my daughter’s death this year hit me very hard, too, and that’s when I started struggling with my mental health again, and turned back to substances,” he explained, noting the impact of these events on his well-being.
Taylor had previously faced sanctions in January 2025 after testing positive at the Players Championship Finals in November 2024, which barred him from competing at Alexandra Palace that year. Initially facing a two-year suspension, it was reduced to three months after a disciplinary panel determined the substance was not performance-enhancing and had been consumed outside competition. The ban was further shortened to just one month after Taylor completed a UKAD-approved treatment programme.
He concluded his statement, saying, “I am sincerely sorry to everyone and I will be getting the help I need. Thank you to you all for your support and we will see you again in time to come because I will be back to prove.” Taylor’s situation highlights the ongoing struggles many athletes face off the board, reminding us of the fragility of human triumphs amid personal battles.
