The PDC have confirmed a player has been suspended for a failed drugs test just hours before he was due to compete in the Players Championship Finals. Dominic Taylor had been due to take on Michael Smith in Minehead this evening, one of the favourites for the competition.

The world No.80 has notched some notable wins this year on his way to the finals, beating the likes of Stephen Bunting, Nathan Aspinall, and Raymond van Barneveld.

But in a released statement, authorities confirmed Taylor is now suspended from competing with immediate effect.

"The Darts Regulation Authority has suspended Dominic Taylor following the failure of a drugs test," they said. "Taylor was tested at a recent Players Championship event and returned a positive sample for a banned substance.
 
"The Chairman of the DRA has confirmed that Taylor is suspended with immediate effect and will face a disciplinary hearing on a date to be confirmed. As a result, Taylor has been withdrawn from the Players Championship Finals."

The world No.3 will still have an opponent though. The statement added that Tyalor would be "replaced in the draw by Nick Kenny, who will now play Michael Smith on Friday evening."

Taylor earned a place on the PDC Tour this year after coming through qualfying school in January. He appeared to be making the most of his two-year card, with his form on European Tour securing places at both the Players Championship Finals and World Championship.

However, with the draw for Ally Pally due to take place on Monday, Taylor's scheduled debut appearance now looks in serious doubt. The player himself is yet to publicly comment on his failed test.

The Finals involve the top 64 players from the Players Championships Order of Merit over the season. Those rankings are based on prize money won over 30 events, and the Bristol-based star's failed test means he will now miss out on a lucrative sum.

Even if he had been beaten by Smith in the best-of-11 tie, Taylor would have walked away with £3,000. A surprise win would have guaranteed £6,500, with the eventual winner getting £120,000 of the £600,000 that will be dished out overall.

Smith will remain a resounding favourite to progress, as he bids to bounce back from his experience aty the Grand Slam of Darts last week. After a number of high-profile exits 'Bully Boy' appeared well-placed to go all the way in Wolverhampton, only to be stunned 5-0 in the third round by Mike de Decker.