PAUL NICHOLSON has called on the Darts Regulation Authority to “throw the book” at Dom Taylor after the player failed a drugs test.
World No65 after the DRA was notified on December 19 of an adverse analytical finding from a test conducted on December 14.
World No65 Dom Taylor has been suspected with immediate effectCredit: Getty
Paul Nicholson has reacted to the news over Dom TaylorCredit: Getty
The Bristol thrower was set to face in round two of the , but the Welshman has been given a bye into round three.
“The Tower” was ruled out of the Worlds last year after receiving a suspension following a positive test for a prohibited substance just weeks before the tournament.
Former pro Nicholson believes the situation marks a turning point in Taylor’s career and says his reputation has been badly damaged.
He told talkSPORT : “I think things are about to get very real for Dominic Taylor.
“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.”
Nicholson believes the strongest message would be a severe financial penalty.
He added: “I expect there to be a two-fold attitude towards this.
“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 dispatched Oskar Lukasiak 3-0 in his first-round clash last Sunday at but his £25,000 prize money has been withheld.
The 27-year-old also enjoyed a strong year on the ProTour, reaching the semi-finals of Players Championship 4 and 8.
Nicholson continued: “I don’t think it is fair on Oskar Lukasiak.
“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.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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