The Darts Regulation Authority has announced that two players, Leighton Bennet and Billy Warriner, have been suspended from all DRA sanctioned events with immediate effect for alleged match-fixing.
According to the DRA statement, Bennett was first reported in September 2023 by the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) for suspicious activity during four matches:
- Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas – 06/09/2023
- Leighton Bennett v Benjamin Drue-Reus – 06/09/2023
- Leighton Bennett v Ryan Harrington – 08/09/2023
- Leighton Bennett v Mindaugas Barauskas – 08/09/2023
No details were given in relation to Warriner’s alleged activity other than the fact that he is suspended.
Two UK Darts Players Suspended for Alleged Match FixingThe Darts Regulation Authority with support from the Gambling Commission Sports Betting Intelligence Unit conducted a thorough investigation into the allegation. The DRA Chairman Nigel Mawer has now decided that Leighton Bennett and Billy Warriner both have a case to answer for a number of serious breaches of the DRA Rules.
Two UK Darts Players Suspended for Alleged Match Fixing Two UK Darts Players Suspended for Alleged Match FixingThere is no suggestion that the other players in the matches in question were involved in any way.
Bennett claimed his PDC Tour Card this year having played mostly on the MODUS Super Series in 2023. He has been previously tipped to become one of the top talents in world darts following his success as World Youth Champion.
If Bennet or Warriner appeal the decision, their suspensions may be extended while the case is ongoing.
Darts Match-Fixing Problems
This brings the total number of players suspended for alleged match-fixing in the MODUS Super Series to 5. Jack Main, Prakash Jiwa and Andy Jenkins have been suspended since November 2003.
Two UK Darts Players Suspended for Alleged Match Fixing Two UK Darts Players Suspended for Alleged Match Fixing with half of that suspended after deliberately losing a match 4-0 against David Evans. The match had been played online due to pandemic restrictions with players playing at home. He deliberately missed doubles during the tournament. Two UK Darts Players Suspended for Alleged Match Fixing handed to Northern Ireland’s Kyle McKinstry. He was found to have deliberately lost two matches. He was banned for 6 and a half years for match-fixing and a further 18 months for failing to provide his phone records to the DRA. One of the matches he was accused of fixing was against Wessel Nijman.
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