Dom Taylor has been suspended from the World Darts Championship after failing a drug test, the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) announced. His second-round opponent Jonny Clayton will receive a bye to the third round at Alexandra Palace.
The DRA said Taylor returned an adverse analytical finding from a test conducted on 14 December, the day before the tournament began. He is suspended from all DRA-regulated events pending a disciplinary process under the sport's anti-doping rules.
This is the second time Taylor has failed a drugs test. He was banned for one month in January by the DRA for a failed test in November last year, which caused him to miss the World Championship. That ban was reduced from two years after it was determined the substance was not performance-enhancing and was taken outside of competition.
In other matches, Beau Greaves lost 3-2 to Daryl Gurney, who praised her as the best woman player. William O’Connor beat Krzysztof Kciuk 3-0 to set up a match with Michael van Gerwen. Josh Rock overcame Gemma Hayter 3-1, Lenny Gates defeated Mickey Mansell 3-2, Ryan Meikle beat Jesus Salate 3-0, and Kevin Doets came from behind to beat Matthew Dennant 3-1.
