Darts star has ban lifted after failed drugs test and is free to return this week

Darts star Rusty-Jake Rodriguez confirmed that his ban from the sport has been lifted after he was provisionally suspended for failing a doping test. On September 16, the Austrian was banned by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) after he tested positive at a random test, ruling him out of any DRA-governed events.

The 24-year-old had a right to appeal and an investigation was subsequently launched, after being pulled up at the Players Championship 24 in Milton Keynes on August 25. At the tournament, Rodriguez was beaten in the first round by Ireland's Steve Lennon. Jeffrey de Graaf defeated Stephen Bunting in the final.

Rodriguez's test results were found to be abnormal, and while an investigation was pending, interim measures suspended the player until disciplinary proceedings were completed.

Rodriguez has been viewed as one of the most promising young talents on the tour and explained that there were "existing misunderstandings" concerning his positive drugs test, which the DRA appear to have accepted.

Announcing that his ban has been lifted, he wrote in a statement: "After several intense weeks, I'm happy to announce that my suspension is officially over and I'm now able to participate in all national and international darts competitions without restrictions.

"The matter has been fully clarified, and existing misunderstandings and grievances have been resolved. Thanks in part to the fair and constructive cooperation with the DRA.

"Now I'm looking forward again to the board, to the next challenges, to what's to come. I'm really looking forward to it! A big thank you to the PDPA, my management and everyone who supported me during this time - athletically, personally, and mentally."

He can now return to action, having been a fixture on the professional tour for several years. Rodriguez made his World Championship debut in 2022, in a campaign where he took Chris Dobey to a deciding fifth set in the second round.

Last year, he lost to Scottish star Cameron Menzies in the first round.

Rodriguez is currently 141st on the PDC Order of Merit, having missed a month of action, and will be desperate to climb the rankings before the sport heads to Alexandra Palace in December.