“I once smoked a joint at a party... I wasn’t even suspended for it" - Co Stompé sympathises with Dom Taylor's drugs ban

The drugs suspension and subsequent disqualification of Dom Taylor was one of the standout moments in the first half of the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship. The Englishman was removed from the tournament and, a few days later, issued a detailed statement.

That openness did not bring calm, as the case was revisited in the Viaplay studio as well. Former player Co Stompé was critical there and raised clear questions about the timing of Taylor’s account.

In his statement, Taylor took responsibility for his actions and apologized to family, fans, and sponsors. He also said he had been struggling with mental health issues for a long time. According to the Englishman, he had tried for too long to appear stronger than he really was, which meant he sought help only late.

For Stompé, that is exactly where the issue lies. The former pro pointed out that this was not Taylor’s first suspension, so he knew the consequences his actions could have. “If you know this can affect your career, you have to raise the alarm right away,” said the former tram driver. “You don’t wait until it goes wrong again, do you?”

According to the 63-year-old Stompé, in cases like this it’s not only the violation itself that matters, but especially the moment someone takes responsibility. A first misstep can sometimes leave room for understanding, particularly when personal circumstances play a role. But that room narrows with repetition. “Then you’re basically just too late,” he stated firmly. “I don’t think he’ll get off as easily as last time.”

To clarify his stance, Stompé drew on his own past. He was the first darts player ever involved in a doping case, although the context was different then. “I once smoked a joint at a party,” he said. “After that my wife drove us back towards Amsterdam.”

During that drive he realized he had not yet reported for a doping test. “Then I said: I think we still need to head back to that venue for the doping control.”

Stompé stressed that he acted entirely on his own initiative. “We just had to do it. Simply off my own bat, otherwise you’d probably never have heard about it,” he added with a wink. His wife turned the car around and Stompé reported for the test after all. “I just went back and did that doping control. Without really thinking about it.”

The consequences were limited at the time. “I wasn’t even suspended for it, but it did come to light,” Stompé explained. According to him, that had everything to do with the administrative situation in darts at that moment. He did not fall under a federation that could actually suspend him. The Dutch darts federation wanted to act, but Stompé was not a member. “Only later, when I was under a different federation, was that possible. Then they could suspend me,” he said. “But that wasn’t the case here.”