RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Sky Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sources
Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld has been fined and suspended by the Darts Regulation Authority for inappropriate behaviour and offensive language. <p>The DRA, which is the independent body responsible for regulating the sport, particularly in events run under the umbrella of the PDC, WDF, Modus and ADC, has published an updated case list for the first time since 2022, listing all backdated hearings from January 2023 to June 2026, relating to various incidents that had occurred in both televised and non-televised competition.</p><p>Former world champions Rob Cross, Gary Anderson, Luke Humphries and Van Barneveld all feature in the case list, along with Cameron Menzies and Dom Taylor.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/13567159/world-matchplay-darts-luke-littler-thrashes-gerwyn-price-18-9-to-defend-title-with-record-breaking-display-in-blackpool"><strong>Littler dominates Price to close out historic World Matchplay defence</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/37278/13428768/darts-2026-schedule-and-dates-premier-league-darts-world-matchplay-and-more-with-luke-littler-in-action"><strong>Darts in 2026: Key dates, calendar, results</strong></a> 📅</li><li><strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/WatchDartsApp" target="_blank">Got Sky? Watch on the Sky Sports app </a></strong>📱</li><li><strong><a href="http://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">Not got Sky? Get instant access with NOW</a></strong> 📺</li></ul><widget id="1"></widget><p>Van Barneveld, widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest-ever players, features in two separate incidents.</p><p>The first involves 'Inappropriate behaviour and using offensive language' at Players Championship 2 event in Wigan last year, resulting in a three-month suspension [suspended for 12 months] and £3,000 fine.</p><p>The second relates to 'failing to report damage caused to hotel room' following a Players Championship event in Germany, which resulted in a formal warning.</p><p>'Barney' is a five-time world champion having won the BDO tournament at Lakeside in 1998, 1999, 2003 and 2005 before making the move to the PDC the following year.</p><p>The doyen of Dutch darts made his mark by winning the 2007 PDC World Championship with a legendary final against Phil 'The Power' Taylor.</p><p><em>Sky Sports </em>have contacted the DRA regarding Van Barneveld's fines.</p><h3>Menzies handed four-month suspension</h3> <widget id="2"></widget><p>Menzies' <a href="https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12040/13483663/cameron-menzies-apologises-for-punching-table-after-world-darts-championship-exit-to-20-year-old-debutant-charlie-manby"><strong>sanction for his outburst at the World Championship in December has been revealed</strong></a>, with the Scot handed a four-month suspension, which ended last month, and receiving a £2,500 fine after he repeatedly punched the underside of the drinks' table on stage in frustration following his defeat to Charlie Manby.</p><p>The incident drew blood on his knuckles, which he then wiped on his face before walking off the stage.</p><p>Shortly after the incident, Menzies issued a statement apologising for his actions.</p><p>"First of all, I would like to apologise for what happened," said Menzies. "I am sorry that I reacted in the manner that I did.</p><p>"It's not an excuse, but I have had a lot of things on my mind recently and I suppose it all just became too much at the end.</p><p>"It has not been an easy time for me with my uncle Gary passing away recently. I saw him four days before he died and he gave a look which told he much he thought of me. He treated me like a son.</p><p>"Had I won the game against Charlie, my second match would have been on the day of Gary's funeral and that has not been lost on me in recent days.</p><p>"Let me say again, that's no excuse for what I did on the stage. It was the wrong thing to do and I don't want it to take anything away from Charlie. He played well and deserved his win.</p><p>"This is not how I would like people to view me. Yes I can get emotional at times, but not like that and that wasn't right."</p><h3>Taylor's failed drugs test</h3> <widget id="3"></widget><p>Taylor's <strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12040/13494344/dom-taylor-receives-six-month-ban-after-failing-drugs-test-at-world-darts-championship">failed drugs test at the World Championship resulted in a six-month suspension until June 18</a></strong>, as well as a £1,275 fine in costs and the forfeiture of his £25,000 in prize money.</p><p>Taylor tested positive for cocaine and cannabis with the offence being his second which incurred a mandatory six-month ban under DRA rules.</p><p>"Accordingly, and taking into account all of the available evidence, the committee were satisfied that Mr Taylor's ingestion of both cocaine and cannabis occurred out of competition and was not following the commencement of the World Championship on 11th December 2025," the DRA statement read.</p><p>"Following on from this finding, the committee has determined that as this is Mr Taylor's second offence, then under these rules, he must serve a six month ban in line with 10.9 (a) and 10.9 (b) of UKAD Anti-Doping Rules 2021".</p><p>Taylor also lost his Tour Card as a result of the offence.</p><p>He had previously served a one-month ban in 2025 after failing a drugs test at the Players Championship Finals in November 2024. The ban was reduced from an initial two years after he agreed to undergo a UKAD-approved three-month substance abuse treatment programme.</p><p>Prakash Jiwa and Andy Jenkins both received hefty bans and were each made to pay costs of over £17,000 after being found guilty of match-fixing in the Modus Super Series from 2022-2023.</p><p><strong>Who will win this year's BoyleSports World Grand Prix? World No 1 Luke Littler will be defending his title and you can watch al...
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.