Rusty-Jake Rodriguez set for darts return after admitting breach of DRA Anti-Doping rules with one month ban issued

Rusty-Jake Rodriguez will be free to return to PDC Darts in the not too distant future with the Austrian confirming on Facebook that his suspension is now over. The DRA have since confirmed that he was issued a one month ban after admitting to the anti-doping breach.

Rodriguez failed a random doping test during Players Championship 24 which took place on Monday August 25, 2025. He was randomly tested during the tournament, the results were found to be abnormal after which the DRA intervened with a provisional suspension barring Rodriguez from participating or even attending events indefinitely.

He confirmed that misunderstandings and grievances amid the positive test have been now resolved and he can now return the tour. The DRA found that the ingestion was outside of competition and so a one month ban was issued as a sanction with a further two month ban to be given if he doesn't engage in the UKAD approved treatment program within the next three months.

The 24-year-old younger brother of Rowby-John Rodriguez was considered one of the most promising talents in international darts and enjoyed a rise on the PDC circuit in recent years and was seen as part of a new generation of European players making their mark on the professional circuit.

He also took the spot of his brother who fell off the tour as well as even Mensur Suljovic as the top Austrian given that 'The Gentle' has been in and out when it comes to form for a long time. But he now gets a chance to make up for lost time after he has been out of action for the past month or so since that positive test.

"After several intense weeks, I'm happy to announce that my suspension is officially over and I'm now able to participate in all national and international darts competitions without restrictions," said Rodriguez in a statement on his Facebook.

"The matter has been fully clarified, and existing misunderstandings and grievances have been resolved Thanks in part to the fair and constructive cooperation with the DRA.

"Now I'm looking forward again to the board, to the next challenges, to what's to come. I'm really looking forward to it! A big thank you to the PDPA, my Management and everyone who supported me during this time - athletically, personally, and mentally."

The DRA released the following statement on the matter confirming that he admitted to the breach and the sanction imposed.

​"Rusty Jake Rodriguez appeared before the DRA Disciplinary Committee on 10th October 2025 as a result of a of him failing a drugs test at Players Championship 24. He admitted the breach of the DRA Anti-Doping Rules.

"The UK Anti-Doping Rules 2021 state that where in a first offence, the substance of abuse is not performance enhancing a period of ineligibility shall be 2 years (10.2.2). There is a possible reduction from this where the player can show to the comfortable satisfaction of the Committee that the substance was not performance enhancing and its ingestion or use was of out of competition (10.2.4 (a)). This would reduce the period of ineligibility to three months and could be further reduced to one month if the player satisfactorily completed a Substance of Abuse treatment program approved by UKAD.

"The Committee found that the ingestion was out of competition and applied 10.2.4 (a) UK Anti-Doping Rules 2021. ​​Therefore the sanction imposed is as follows:​

"In the circumstances, the Committee determined that Mr Rodriguez will be subject to a one-month ban. This is strictly conditional on his completion of an appropriate UKAD approved treatment program. Should Mr Rodriguez fail to engage and complete this course within the next three months, then the ban shall be extended by an additional two months".