Match fixing scandal sees former World Darts Championship semi-finalist slapped with 11-year ban
Match fixing scandal sees former World Darts Championship semi-finalist slapped with 11-year ban
Yet another darts player has been found guilty of match-fixing allegations, a statement from the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) has confirmed
Andy Jenkins has been handed a massive 11-year ban
(Image: Christopher Lee, Getty Images )
Darts professional Andy Jenkins has been slapped with a hefty 11-year ban for match-fixing and fined £17,580.
The 54-year-old was found guilty by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) disciplinary committee. He was discovered to have rigged the results of 12 MODUS Super Series games between February 22, 2022 and July 5, 2023.
In addition, Jenkins was also penalised for leaking information to bettors. Despite denying the match-fixing allegations, he admitted to placing 88 bets on matches using his own account.
His suspension, which is retroactive from November 2023, will prevent him from participating in or engaging with any DRA events. He will not be able to compete in those competitions until November 15, 2034.
Jenkins' most notable achievement was reaching the semi-finals of the PDC World Championship in 2007. There, he was defeated by eventual champion Raymond van Barneveld.
Jenkins won 15 career titles and was also a semi-finalist in the UK Open and the World Grand Prix. He has until May 6, 2025 to appeal the decision.
Article continues below
John Pierce, the Gambling Commission's director of enforcement, commented (via the Mirror): "This case sends a strong and unequivocal message to all sportspeople.
"If you fix matches, you are likely to be caught and face serious consequences. Betting customers in Britain deserve confidence that the markets they engage with are fair and free from corruption.
Jenkins once climbed all the way up to No.8 on the PDC Order of Merit
(Image: Bryn Lennon, Getty Images )
"Our sports betting intelligence unit will continue to work closely with partners such as the Darts Regulation Authority to identify and prevent match-fixing."
Jenkins is the latest in a string of players to face penalties for match-fixing. Recently, English-Indian darts star Prakash Jiwa was found guilty of fixing four games and placing bets on other matches' outcomes.
Following an investigation supported by The Gambling Commission's Sports Betting Intelligence Unit, he received an eight-year ban from competing in tournaments.
Bennett was banned for eight years
(Image: Getty )
In addition to being banned until November 6, 2031, he was also slapped with a fine of £17,741.46. This specific investigation concluded that no other players scrutinised were guilty of any offences.
Another case involved former young darts prodigy Leighton Bennett. The 19-year-old was found guilty of 10 different rule breaches across four matches, resulting in a hefty eight-year ban from the DRA and a fine of £8,100.
Article continues below
Bennett came under scrutiny after suspicious betting patterns were noticed in his matches between September 6 and September 9, 2023. One such match was a showdown against Ryan Harrington at a MODUS Super Series event in 2023, where he notably missed several doubles and even failed to hit the board with one attempt.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Scotsman
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler confirms Genesis Scottish Open appearance
Three-time major winner joins another stellar field for $9m Rolex Series event Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scottie Scheffler, the world No 1, has joined another stellar field for this year's Genesis Scottish Open after confirming his return to The Renaissance Club in East Lothian. The three-time major winner had become a regular in the Rolex Series event before sitting out last year's edition due to the Olympics - he won a gold medal in Paris - adding to a busy summer schedule. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad His decision to restore the Genesis Scottish Open to his list of events this year is another massive boost to the $9 million tournament, which is part of both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour. Scottie Scheffler talks with his caddie Ted Scott during the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club | Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images It means that the current top five in the Official World Golf Ranking will be teeing it up in Scotland's Golf Coast, with Scheffler joining Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas in being announced by the organisers. In addition, two others - European Ryder Cup duo Ludvig Aberg and Sepp Straka - in the current top ten in the global standings will be among Bob MacIntyre's rivals as well as the Scot defends his title on 10-13 July. American shot 63 at The Renaissance Club in 2021 After a slowish start to his 2025 campaign, Scheffler won the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow last month before successfully defending the title in the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village last weekend. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The 28-year-old, who has racked up an astonishing 16 victories in just over three years, made his debut in the Genesis Scottish Open in 2021, carding a 63 in the second round as he finished in a tie for 12th behind Australian Min Woo Lee. He then missed the cut the following year before posting scores of 68-65-67-70 to secure a share of third spot behind McIlroy, who finished birdie-birdie to pip MacIntyre, in 2023. 'I'm looking forward to getting back to the Genesis Scottish Open next month,' admitted Scheffler of the only event he has played on the DP World Tour apart from the JP McManus Pro-Am in Ireland in 2022. 'It's an event and a course I enjoy playing given we only get to play links golf a couple of times a year. Playing in such a strong field and in front of the Scottish fans is always fun for us.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Women's world No 1 Nelly Korda will also be in action in the home of golf this summer when she makes a debut appearance in the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire |Scheffler's appearance on this occasion means that both the men's and women's world No 1s will be playing on Scottish soil this summer after Nelly Korda announced earlier this week that she is teeing up for the first time in the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open. It takes place at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire a fortnight after the Genesis Scottish Open and both events should now be guaranteed to attract bumper crowds. Enhanced fan experience includes gig by KT Tunstall Others confirmed for the Genesis Scottish Open include former US Open champions Justin Rose and Matthew Fitzpatrick, as well as six-time PGA Tour winner Max Homa and Genesis Championship title holder Byeong Hun An. The absentees from the world's top ten are sixth-ranked Russell Henley, former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and Bryson DeChambeau, who is ineligible for PGA Tour events due to being a LIV Golf player. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad An enhanced fan experience at this year's event will include a Fringe by the Tee pop-up stage that will see KT Tunstall, the Grammy-nominated, Brit Award-winning artist, fill a headline slot on the Saturday.
Wales Online
6 hours ago
- Wales Online
David Beckham gets his own way after remark Lionel Messi's wife made about him spoke volumes
David Beckham gets his own way after remark Lionel Messi's wife made about him spoke volumes David Beckham will be awarded with a knighthood next week, and his decision to bring Lionel Messi to Inter Miami has been highlighted by the Argentine's wife David Beckham spent years recruiting Lionel Messi to Inter Miami (Image: Getty Images ) Antonela Roccuzzo, Lionel Messi's wife, has expressed her gratitude to David Beckham for the warm welcome they received upon their move to Miami. As Beckham is set to be honoured with a knighthood, his role as co-owner of MLS team Inter Miami is highlighted, having launched the club's journey back in 2014 by selecting Miami as the base for his new franchise. Inter Miami made their MLS debut in 2020 and, within three years, secured the signing of Messi, often hailed as the greatest footballer of all time. Beckham's vision of bringing a football club to a city that had been without one for years, coupled with Miami's rich cultural diversity, were pivotal factors in his decision to establish the team in The Magic City. The move proved to be a brilliant strategy, especially when it came to attracting the Argentinian superstar and his family, with Roccuzzo sharing her affection for Miami in an interview with Haute Living last year. "What I love the most about Miami is the climate, the people, and the landscape," said Roccuzzo. "All this makes you feel like you're living in perpetual summer," reports the Mirror. Article continues below Antonela Roccuzzo praised the welcome she and her family received from Inter Miami (Image: AP ) She also commended the reception organised for their arrival, which Beckham would have played a part in, as Messi was unveiled at DRV PNK Stadium to an enthusiastic crowd. "The biggest surprise for us was the warm welcome we received when we arrived," she said. "We knew it would be special, but it exceeded all our expectations. "It has actually been very easy [adapting to life in Miami], and we're all happy about it. Our main concern was that the kids might not like it or adjust well, but from day one, they adapted very well." Messi shared his wife's sentiments, praising the "amazing" city of Miami and the ease with which they settled in after Beckham's persistent recruitment efforts. "We were convinced we wanted to come here, and the people made it very easy, the people in the club and the people I see day to day in the streets and the amazing city, it makes living here very easy and happy," the football legend expressed. Messi and his family swapped Paris for Miami in 2023 (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below "The school too has helped us get comfortable and get settled in in our day-to-day lives, so it was a lot easier than I thought it would be because our experience of changing from Barcelona to Paris was very complicated and this has been completely different." Beckham, who was awarded an OBE in 2003 for his sporting and charitable contributions, is set to receive a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours list next week, according to The Sun. His care for the Messi family is just one example of how his attitude in life has finally led to him being rewarded with the knighthood. The Manchester United icon will join the ranks of former United legends like Matt Busby, Alex Ferguson and Bobby Charlton, all of whom have been knighted. He'll also be the first ex-footballer since Sir Kenny Dalglish in 2018 to receive this honour.
Metro
6 hours ago
- Metro
Kylian Mbappe furiously grabs referee Michael Oliver's watch in France defeat
Mbappe led the French protests at full-time against Spain (Picture: Getty0 A furious Kylian Mbappe grabbed referee Michael Oliver's watch to check how much time was left during France's Nations League defeat to Spain. The European champions came out on top in a 5-4 thriller in Stuttgart on Thursday night with Lamine Yamal again running the show. The Barcelona sensation scored twice with Spain leading 5-1 with just over 20 minutes of the match remaining before France began mounting a comeback. Rayan Cherki's effort and an own goal from Dani Vivian had Les Blues back in the game before Randal Kolo Muani pulled another back three minutes into added time. Oliver had added on five minutes at the end of the 90, blowing his whistle with the clock approaching 96 minutes after an extra goal was scored and a substitution was made in that allotted time. With his side still chasing an equaliser, Mbappe angrily approached the Premier League referee at full-time, demanding to see his watch. 'We are angry,' the Real Madrid star TF1. 'I didn't agree with the referee about the actual playing time. Yamal scored twice for Spain (Picture; Getty Images) 'The problem is that it's a recurring thing, but if I talk about it now, people will think I'm a hater, so I don't want to talk about it. 'It's just that when there are five minutes (of added time), you have to play five minutes. It's not five minutes that go by, it's completely different.' Mbappe added: 'We're pissed off, it's normal because we wanted to win, we played with desire. 'We really wanted to come back, but in the end we lost and we're frustrated.' Cherki masterclass almost rescues France France will meet Germany in a third place play-off on Sunday with Spain set to meet Portugal in the final later that evening. Cherki had a huge impact off the bench (Picture: Getty Images) Cherki made his debut off the bench after replacing Michael Olise after 63 minutes, playing a key role in the French fightback. More Trending The Lyon star, who confirmed post-match he is on the brink of joining Manchester City, netted a stunning half-volley, provided the cross that resulted in Vivian's own goal and laid on the assist for Muani's late effort. 'I'm not someone who dreads matches, I take them as they come,' Cherki said. 'I knew that when I came on, there would be a lot of space. I came on to give good balls to my teammates. 'On an individual level, we don't really care. We're disappointed with what happened tonight.' Arrow MORE: Spain vs France TV channel and live stream: How to watch Nations League semi-final in the UK tonight Arrow MORE: Florian Wirtz clashes with Bruno Fernandes in Germany's Nations League loss to Portugal
