Dom Taylor “Sincerely Sorry” Following Failed Drugs Test

English darts player Dom Taylor has issued a heartfelt apology after failing a drugs test, which led to his exclusion from the PDC World Darts Championship.

Taylor, 27, had impressed in the first round with a victory over Oskar Lukasiak at Alexandra Palace, but was tested under the Darts Regulation Authority’s ongoing anti-doping procedures. Following the positive test, he was withdrawn from the tournament, giving his scheduled second-round opponent, Jonny Clayton, a bye into the third round.

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Taylor Addresses Personal Struggles

In a candid statement, Taylor admitted he had been “lying to myself and everyone else” and apologised for his prior public statements following the first-round win.

“I need to apologise for blatant lying to you all in my interview after my win against Oskar last week,” Taylor wrote on Facebook.
“I did complete and finish the course that I was required to do at the end of last/beginning of this year, along with everything else I was required to do and sanctions.”

Taylor also revealed that his mental health had suffered due to a series of personal challenges, including the anniversary of his daughter’s death, which compounded the difficulties he faced after his initial suspension.

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Previous Suspension and Reduced Ban

Taylor had previously received a one-month suspension in January after failing a drugs test during the prior year. While the maximum ban could have been up to two years, the period was reduced after Taylor demonstrated that the substance in question was not performance-enhancing and was taken outside of competition.

He was also required to complete a three-month treatment programme approved by UK Anti-Doping, which he successfully undertook. Despite this, the recent positive test has overshadowed his progress and led to his exclusion from the PDC World Darts Championship.

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Reaction and Next Steps

Taylor acknowledged his mistakes and vowed to return to the sport:

“I am sincerely sorry. I will be back to prove myself,” he said.

The darts community has expressed concern over the incident, while Taylor’s openness about his mental health and personal struggles has sparked discussions around athlete welfare and the pressures faced by professional darts players.

His scheduled opponent, Jonny Clayton, advanced automatically to the third round, maintaining the tournament schedule despite the setback.