PDC CEO Matt Porter clear on combination darts and alcohol: ''Our players must adhere to code of conduct''

In the sports world, alcohol is often taboo, but darts is by nature a pub sport, so the association with alcohol is never far away.

Yet Matt Porter, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PDC does not see that as a problem. "We don't feel we have to control it. Simply because it's not something we have no control over," Porter told German news agency DPA.

"In the darts world today, you won't find any top-level players who benefit from alcohol. Other players who used to play darts are not significant. It has nothing to do with today's sport. But even today darts still has to do with the cliché of a pub sport where men with big beer bellies throw at a board."

Code of Conduct

Porter also points out the potential consequences. "If you were drunk doing your job, your bosses would punish you. Our players have to abide by a certain code of conduct. If they violate it in any way, they will be punished. If someone is not fit for his match, he risks a severe punishment."

"The players have to play there on stage, under high pressure and for a long time. They have to show an extremely high level of concentration. Now anyone can wonder how they would do that under the influence of alcohol. You wouldn't be able to play at your best level," Porter concludes.