“You can argue whether this is performance-enhancing — but something has to be learned": Nicholson urges DRA to 'throw the book' at Dom Taylor

On Friday the unexpected news broke that Dom Taylor had failed a drugs test. As a result, he was immediately disqualified from the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship, sending his opponent Jonny Clayton straight into the third round.

The DRA was informed on December 19 of an adverse finding from a test taken on December 14. Also worth noting is the fact that this is not the first time that “The Tower” has run into trouble. Last year he missed the Worlds completely after receiving a suspension a few weeks before the tournament for a positive test for a prohibited substance. Former pro Paul Nicholson has now called on the Darts Regulation Authority to come down hard.

The Australian believes this case is a tipping point in Taylor’s career and that his reputation is badly damaged. “I think things are about to get very real for Dominic Taylor,” Nicholson told talkSPORT. “We’ve been lauding his talent for the last few years, saying his area of the country in England has a very good dart player.”

“Unfortunately, now his reputation is completely shot because not only has he failed one, but he spoke with the media post-win about putting things right. He lied. That’s one of the things that really hit home today. When you lie in front of the media about things you did in the past and what you are doing that day, that won’t sit well with the DRA.”

According to Nicholson, his penalty should come via a hefty financial sanction. “I expect there to be a two-fold attitude towards this," he says. "He’s a professional dart player with a PDPA membership, so there is a responsibility to give him assistance — and I hope they do, because he deserves it."

“But at the same time, the DRA have to throw the book at him, because this is not a first-time offence. I think throwing the book at him is taking every penny away he has earned from this tournament.”

Taylor won his first-round match at Alexandra Palace 3-0 against Oskar Lukasiak last Sunday, but his £25,000 prize money has been withheld for the time being. The 27-year-old also had a strong year on the ProTour, including semi-final runs at Players Championship 4 and 8.

Nicholson chiefly feels that Lukasiak is being short-changed. “I don’t think it is fair on Oskar Lukasiak," he concludes. “You can argue whether this is performance-enhancing — we don’t know what the substance is — but something has to be learned from this for the next generation."

“This cannot be tolerated. I commend the PDC and their process of finding this out very quickly. If I was in the position of the DRA, I would take full match earnings and tournament earnings of £25,000 to make sure he doesn’t get any benefit from this.”