Darts player nicknamed 'Big Dog' banned for punching opponent after losing a match

A professional darts player nicknamed Big Dog has been banned from the sport for punching an opponent when he lost a match. Adam Smith-Neale was barred from the arrows until November 12 over the fracas, which he claimed began when he "felt threatened".

A disciplinary panel said he punched the other player in the face when the victim offered him his hand at the end of the match at the Lucky Break Bentley Road Pool and Sports Bar in Nuneaton. The committee did not fully accept Smith-Neale's allegation that he felt threatened.

Smith-Neale, from Coventry, is ranked No.82 in the world, CoventryLive reports. Footage of the incident in March reportedly showed him lash out after the victim hit a winning double. He was suspended by the Darts Regulation Authority pending a hearing.

A statement on the DRA's website said Smith-Neale accepted the allegations against him but claimed he had felt threatened by his opponent. That was not fully accepted by the committee and he was banned from professional darts for eight months.

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It means he cannot play or participate in any events until November 12. Smith-Neale won back his Professional Darts Corporation Tour card in 2023, paving the way for him to play at the highest level.

The DRA said in a statement: "The disciplinary committee of the Darts Regulation Authority convened for a hearing on May 15 2024 to consider a case involving Adam Smith-Neale.

"The case relates to allegations of assault and threatening behaviour by Smith-Neale. On March 9, 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 he had felt threatened by his opponent which was why he punched him. This was not fully accepted by the committee.

"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. This ban is backdated to start from March 12 2024, this being the date of his initial suspension by the DRA. This means Smith-Neale is unable to play or participate in any events until November 12, 2024."