THE DRA have issued the following statement relating to cases head between August 2011 and February 2012.
Darts Regulation Authority Results from Hearings
Cases referred between August 10 2011 and February 6 2012
The Darts Regulation Authority has received 14 new referrals in this period and has completed 17 cases. All 33 cases referred in 2011 have now been concluded.
The 17 cases consist of 14 cases contrary to section 4.1 of the DRA Rule Book, 1 case of calling out/gamesmanship and 2 cases of failing to mark contrary to section 5.18.05.
• 14 cases contrary to section 4.1 of the DRA Rule Book, Code of Conduct:
'No Player or Member shall act in a manner which may reasonably be considered to injure or discredit the DRA or bring the game of darts into disrepute'
These cases relate to abuse of a fellow player, disruptive behaviour, drunken behaviour, failing to complete a match, a physical altercation between two players, swearing to camera on live TV, offensive gestures, repeated exclusion zone incursions, throwing darts away, throwing water over the crowd, failing to follow player instructions and inappropriate postings on social networking sites.
The penalties levied were; fines of between £200-£600, one as an imposed suspended sentence and in addition to the fines, one player received a three-month suspension, suspended for six months, five players were also warned as to their future conduct. Three warning letters were issued to players regarding their future conduct.
Two cases were considered and not proceeded with due to insufficient evidence to show a breach of the rules.
• One case contrary to section 4.7 and 5.23.06 of the DRA Rule Book, Code of Conduct:
'4.7 All Players, Members and Guests will desist from any behaviour which may reasonably be construed as gamesmanship before, during or after any Match at any Darts Event.
'5.23.06 During Match play, all Players shall remain silent and only the Player at the Oche shall direct enquiries to the Referee. No prompting shall be allowed by any other Player, any spectator or any Official
This case was dealt with by issuing a formal warning as to the players future conduct.
• Two cases of failing to mark, contrary to section 5.18.05 of the DRA Rule Book:
'Players should be in attendance at their assigned Match board when their match is due to be played and when they are due to mark a Match. Failure to do so may render the Player liable to disqualification or disciplinary action at the absolute discretion of the Tournament Director.'
The penalties levied were a fine of £100 in one case and a formal warning in the other case due to extenuating circumstances.