POLL: Should Oskar Lukasiak be allowed to play Jonny Clayton after Dom Taylor’s doping disqualification?
PDCFriday, 19 December 2025 at 23:22
The renewed doping case involving Dom Taylor is not only making headlines at the 2026 Darts World Championship, but also sparking debate over the current tournament rules. The Englishman was suspended with immediate effect by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) following an adverse analytical finding and removed from the ongoing competition. His opening win over Oskar Lukasiak is therefore effectively rendered meaningless.
Under the regulations of the PDC, the next opponent automatically benefits in such a case: Jonny Clayton receives a bye into the third round. For Lukasiak, however, the tournament is over – even though his conqueror has now been excluded for a doping offense.
This exact point raises questions.
No second chance for Lukasiak
Under the current rulebook, the PDC does not provide for reinstatement of already defeated players, even if the winner is later disqualified. The reason: brackets should not be altered retrospectively to maintain sporting and organizational clarity. This practice is common in other sports as well.
- Tennis: At Grand Slams, lucky losers move in only before the tournament starts. If a player is later disqualified (e.g., for doping), there is no reinstatement for defeated opponents.
- Football (knockout competitions): In cup competitions, a match result stands even if a player is later banned or disqualified. The eliminated opponent does not get a second chance.
- Boxing: If a winner is later stripped for doping, the bout may be ruled a no contest or a loss, but the defeated boxer does not automatically progress.
- Mixed Martial Arts (MMA / UFC): Here too, fights are often annulled in later doping cases without retroactively changing tournament progression.
- Olympic competitions (individual knockout): Medals can be stripped, but eliminated athletes do not advance if the event has already concluded.
Nevertheless, many fans find the situation unsatisfying. Lukasiak has no chance to face Clayton, even though his first-round opponent has now been excluded from the tournament for a rules violation. Clayton advances without throwing a dart.
Fairness versus tournament logic
The question is therefore less legal than fundamental: Are the existing rules still fair? Should a player eliminated by an opponent who is later disqualified get a second chance? Or would that contradict the core principle of a knockout tournament?
Supporters of the current regulations argue that clear structures are indispensable – especially at a major event like the World Championship.
Critics, however, see a sporting imbalance when a player suffers twice: first through a defeat, then through the opponent’s doping case.
We want your opinion
The Dom Taylor case brings this issue back into focus. That’s why we want to know:
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- I will be sorely disappointed if I don't hear at least one chorus of "There's only one Pusey Magnet" from the crowd.thebogeyman20-12-2025
- It's his attitude. Zero fight when it's not going his way and looks like the darts owe him a treble. He carries every poor visit into the next one. Maybe he should decide one final year, goodbye tour and f*ing enjoy itBandB18-12-2025
- Difficult one. Obviously has some struggles but you can't allow that behaviour. The damage to his hand from punching and blocking the pyrotechnics will keep him out for months anyway, but ban to the matchplay and fine whatever his prize money was for this event, with a heavy suspended ban on top.BandB17-12-2025
- 1 year ban and £15,000 fine.medinabello16-12-2025
- can you not at least attempt to proof read these recaps? the whitlock scutt one in particular is both inaccurate and mindbogglingly unreadablecolt16-12-2025
- Look, everyone knows he likes to wind up his opponents. Today,his worst,and always will be,best opponent,is himself. I don't dislike the bloke,but he can only blame himself.rick6715-12-2025
- Look, everyone knows he likes to wind up his opponents. Today,his worst,and always will be,best opponent,is himself. I don't dislike the bloke,but he can only blame himself.rick6715-12-2025
- DRA - just a warning please. Obviously not deliberate, in good spirits a s immediate apology. (P.s. Good on you Joe! Tough season, hope you keep that standard into the next round and beyond)BandB14-12-2025
- This bozo says he can't take darts any further and he's left it in a good place.....no-one cares about this nobody. The PDC was always in a good place before he came along. Does this buffon think the crowd are there for him.richieburnettrocks14-12-2025
- Yes, a warning indeed. He is coming to the buffet table, out of his way. This class A goof continues to blither about how he is playing the best darts of his life and even had the laughable audacity to say he was in the best shape of his life. He had a lucky run at Blackpool and even luckier at the World Championship and is still living off that. His form the past year especially the last 6 months completely sucks. 6 micky mouse titles mean nothing.richieburnettrocks13-12-2025
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