James Wade Advocates for a Second Chance for Leighton Bennett

James Wade Advocates for a Second Chance for Leighton Bennett

The darts community is in shock following the lengthy suspensions imposed on emerging talent Leighton Bennett and fellow professional Billy Warriner due to their involvement in match-fixing. The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) has issued an eight-year ban for Bennett and a ten-year ban for Warriner, citing significant violations of the sport’s integrity standards.

 

Bennett, a former BDO World Youth Champion, faced ten charges, including match-fixing in four instances during the Modus Super Series in September 2023. Additional charges included the sharing of insider information, obstructing the investigation, and collaborating with an unregistered agent. His suspension, which will last until August 11, 2032, is accompanied by a fine of £8,100.23 and the revocation of his PDC Tour Card. The DRA has confirmed that no other players were involved in this misconduct.

 

In response to the ruling, darts legend James Wade has urged for a more empathetic perspective towards Bennett, who was regarded as a promising future star of the sport. Wade, an advocate for mental health awareness in darts, emphasized that Bennett’s youth and potential should be taken into account. “An eight-year absence from the sport is a significant loss for someone so young. While mistakes were made, we should focus on rehabilitation rather than a lifetime ban,” Wade remarked in a recent interview.

 

Wade’s comments have ignited discussions within the darts community, with some supporters agreeing that Bennett’s age and early achievements merit a second chance. At just 18 years old, Bennett had already reached notable milestones, including a victory over Phil Taylor in an exhibition match and obtaining a Tour Card at Q-School in January

 

The sanctions imposed on Bennett and Warriner convey a strong message regarding the necessity of integrity in darts. Nevertheless, Wade’s appeal for leniency underscores the difficulty of reconciling punishment with the possibility of redemption. As the appeal deadline of December 14 approaches, many will be closely observing the developments