Raymond van Barneveld, a five‑time world darts champion, has been hit with both a monetary fine and a period of suspension after the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) deemed his conduct inappropriate and his language offensive. The DRA, the independent organisation that oversees the sport’s governance across PDC, WDF, Modus and ADC events, has released an updated case register – the first comprehensive list since 2022 – that records back‑dated hearings spanning from January 2023 through June 2026. This register captures a variety of incidents that occurred during both televised and non‑televised tournaments.
Among the names appearing in the register are former world champions Rob Cross, Gary Anderson, Luke Humphries and Van Barneveld himself, as well as players Cameron Menzies and Dom Taylor. The list provides a clear picture of the DRA’s commitment to maintaining professional standards and ensuring that disciplinary actions are transparent.
Van Barneveld, widely celebrated as one of darts’ all‑time greats, is linked to two separate disciplinary matters. The first incident took place at the Players Championship 2 event in Wigan last year.
During that competition he engaged in behaviour that the DRA classified as "inappropriate" and used language that was deemed offensive. As a result, he received a three‑month suspension – technically a suspended twelve‑month ban – and a fine of £3,000. The second matter involved a failure to report damage he caused to a hotel room after a Players Championship tournament in Germany.
Rather than a monetary penalty, the DRA issued a formal warning for this breach of protocol. Van Barneveld’s career achievements are extensive. He captured the BDO World Championship at Lakeside in 1998, 1999, 2003 and 2005 before switching to the PDC in 2006.
He then added a PDC World Championship title in 2007, defeating the legendary Phil "The Power" Taylor in a memorable final that cemented his status as a Dutch darts icon. In addition to Van Barneveld’s case, the register also details the sanction imposed on Cameron Menzies.
Following an outburst at the World Championship in December, the Scottish player punched the underside of the drinks table on stage after losing to Charlie Manby. The blow broke the skin on his knuckles, and he wiped the blood on his face before exiting the arena.
Menzies received a four‑month suspension, which concluded last month, and a £2,500 fine. He later issued a public apology, explaining that personal stress – including the recent death of his uncle Gary – had contributed to his loss of composure, but he insisted that none of these factors excused his actions.
The register also records the case of Phil Taylor. The former champion failed a drugs test at the World Championship, testing positive for both cocaine and cannabis. Because this was his second anti‑doping violation, the DRA imposed a six‑month suspension effective until 18 June, a £1,275 cost penalty and the forfeiture of his £25,000 prize money.
The DRA clarified that the substances were used out of competition, prior to the start of the championship on 11 December 2025, and therefore the ban fell under UKAD Anti‑Doping Rules 2021 sections 10.9(a) and (b). Taylor also lost his Tour Card as a consequence.
This follows an earlier one‑month ban in 2025 after a positive test at the Players Championship Finals in November 2024; that sanction had been reduced from an initial two‑year ban after he agreed to a three‑month UKAD‑approved treatment programme. Match‑fixing allegations also feature prominently.
Prakash Jiwa and Andy Jenkins were each handed substantial bans and ordered to pay more than £17,000 in costs after being found guilty of fixing matches in the Modus Super Series during the 2022‑2023 season. Their cases underscore the DRA’s zero‑tolerance stance on integrity breaches.
The updated case list serves several purposes. It offers transparency for fans, sponsors and broadcasters, it reinforces the message that misconduct will be met with proportionate penalties, and it provides a historical record that can inform future policy decisions. By publishing the register, the DRA hopes to deter future infractions and maintain the sport’s reputation for fairness and professionalism.
Looking ahead, the darts calendar remains packed with high‑stakes events. The BoyleSports World Grand Prix, for example, will see world number one Luke Littler defending his title, with live coverage available on Sky Sports and streaming options through platforms such as NOW. As the sport continues to grow globally, the DRA’s role in upholding standards will remain crucial, ensuring that players like Van Barneveld, Menzies, Taylor and others are held accountable while also preserving the competitive spirit that draws millions of viewers each year.