A professional darts player has been suspended after a video of him appearing to punch an opponent after losing a pub match went viral on social media.
The Darts Regulation Authority confirmed that the PDC world No 82, Adam “Big Dog” Smith-Neale, would be barred from attending or competing while it conducted an investigation into the incident, which took place at the Nuneaton Darts Open at the Lucky Break pub on Saturday.
“On 12th March 2024 Nigel Mawer, the DRA chairman, took the decision to suspend Adam Smith-Neale from attending or competing in DRA sanctioned events,” it said in a statement. “This relates to an allegation that he assaulted another player at the end of his match in an amateur event in Nuneaton played on 9th March 2024.”
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“He has the right to appeal the suspension decision and he will face a disciplinary hearing at a date to be arranged.”
The decision followed widespread outrage from the darts community after footage from the event appeared to show Smith-Neale throwing a right hand after his opponent went to shake hands after hitting a winning double. A spectator then intervened to prevent any further violence.
Smith-Neale, who won back his PDC Tour card in 2023 but has struggled to make a mark since, is yet to comment. However the PDC has confirmed it was aware of a video “from a non-affiliated event, featuring a tour card holder, which is circulating on social media”.
