Fans Call Out Major Rule Problem After Darts Star Booted from World Championship

Darts fans have called out a major issue with the PDC World Championship rules after a player was kicked out of the competition.

On Friday evening, the final matches of the opening round of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship will be played in London's iconic Alexandra Palace.

Several players have already secured their place in the second round, including Dom Taylor who won his opening match against Sweden's Oskar Lukasiak 3-0 on Sunday.

However, just days after his win, the PDC confirmed that Taylor would no longer been competing in the World Championship after he was disqualified over a failed drug test.

Since the announcement, fans have been reacting to Taylor's removal on social media, and they've pointed out one major issue with the rules surrounding the decision.

Dom Taylor has been thrown out of the PDC World Darts Championship. Image: Getty

In a statement confirming Taylor's disqualification, the PDC's governing body, 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."

The Englishman was originally scheduled to play Welshman Jonny Clayton in the second round, but Clayton has instead been given a bye and will advance straight to round three.

But fans feel that this decision is not fair on Taylor's first round opponent, Lukasiak, as they've called on the Swedish player to be allowed to re-enter the competition having lost to a player who failed drug testing.

Reacting to the announcement, one fan wrote: "So many people on this earth are working their a** off trying to get the opportunities Dom Taylor has.

"Wasting a second chance like that is a slap in the face to all of them. That aside if I were Lukasiak I’d be absolutely furious. Maybe he even has a case to get back?"

While another demanded: "Official PDC, invite Lukasiak back if he was beaten by someone who failed a drugs test."

Fans have called on the PDC to allow Oskar Lukasiak back into the World Championship. (Image: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

And it's not just Lukasiak that fans pointed out has been impacted by Taylor's behaviour and the PDC's decision, as Dutch professional player Maik Kuivenhoven was the highest ranked player to miss the cut off.

Had Taylor's spot in the World Championship been revoked ahead of the day one, Kuivenhoven would have made it to the Ally Pally, taking home a guaranteed £15,000 in the process.