DARTS bad boy Adam Smith-Neale has been banned from professional darts for eight months after punching a rival at a local tournament.
The World No.87 was found guilty of the offence by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) on May 15 but a statement was only released this week.
Footage of the incident went viral in early March after the ruck at the Nuneaton Darts Open.
The DRA statement said: “The Disciplinary Committee of the Darts Regulation Authority convened for a hearing on 15th May 2024 to consider a case involving Adam Smith-Neale.
“The case relates to allegations of assault and threatening behaviour by Smith-Neale.
“On 9th March 2024, Smith-Neale was playing a match in the Nuneaton Darts Open at the Lucky Break Sports and Pool Bar in Nuneaton.
“After Smith-Neale lost the match, his opponent offered his hand and Smith-Neale punched him in the face.
“The incident was captured on CCTV and attracted considerable media attention. Smith-Neale was suspended by the DRA pending a hearing.
“At the hearing Smith-Neale accepted the charges against him and claimed that he had felt threatened by his opponent which was why he punched him. This was not fully accepted by the Committee.”
It continued: “The Committee later delivered its decision in writing, and the sanction imposed is that Smith-Neale is banned from playing or being involved in any capacity in any DRA sanctioned events for a period of 8 months.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
“This ban is backdated to start from 12th March 2024, this being the date of his initial suspension by the DRA.
“This means that Smith-Neale is unable to play or participate in any events until 12th November 2024.”
