PDC darts star banned for eight months for punching rival in the face after losing
PDC star Adam Smith-Neale has been handed an eight-month ban for punching an opponent in the face after a match.
The professional darts star, who is ranked No.82 in the world and holds a PDC tour card, reacted angrily after being beaten by an amateur at a local tournament in Nuneaton. When his opponent turned to shake his hand after winning the match, Smith-Neale put his darts down and threw a punch at his opponent’s face, which was captured on CCTV.
His opponent walked back to the board to collect his darts after the incident as an onlooker shoved Smith-Neale. Matters then calmed down moments later. Footage of the incident soon emerged on social media, prompting the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) to take action.
Smith-Neale was immediately suspended from tournaments pending an investigation. Following a hearing by the DRA’s Disciplinary Committee, which took place on May 15, Smith-Neale has been handed an eight-month ban from the sport, backdated from the time of his initial suspension.
