Three dart throwers are facing temporary removal from tournaments due to accusations of wagering violations. The governing body for darts, the DRA, imposed the suspensions, acknowledging an ongoing inquiry into unusual betting patterns during games within the Modus Super Series. Prakash Jiwa, victor of the Indian qualifier and recipient of a place in the forthcoming World Darts Championship, now faces uncertainty regarding his participation due to the suspension. The inquiry concerning Main focuses on one of his Modus Super Series matches against Lisa Ashton, who is not suspected of any misconduct. The specific games involving Jiwa and Jenkins remain undisclosed. The DRA Disciplinary Committee will convene a hearing to adjudicate on the accusations. Each suspended player retains the right to contest the disciplinary measures taken by the DRA.
Professional darts competitor, Marvool, is temporarily prohibited from DRA-approved competitions due to possible breaches of the DRA’s rules on wagering. A hearing will precede any further decisions regarding this matter.
This action mirrors a growing pattern across athletics, with other sports also penalizing athletes for supposed engagement in betting practices. As an illustration, in October, the English Football Association (FA) disciplined several players for engaging in prohibited match betting.
This signifies a rise in disciplinary measures from the FA compared to prior months, with athletes like Curtis Burroughs, Liam Dolman, Lee Tomlin, and David Northfield all receiving penalties for violating regulations concerning football wagering.
A separate notable instance involves Italian national team footballer, Sandro Tonali, who is presently under a global suspension for his participation in illicit betting.