Adam Smith-Neale has spoken out for the first time since receiving an eight-month suspension from the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) for an act of violence against an opponent during an amateur tournament in March 2024, an incident that was captured on widely circulated video footage.
PDC tour card holder Adam Smith-Neale punched his opponent after getting beat. Never heard one good word about him ever, a complete and utter bellend. pic.twitter.com/JovoahnkyV
— DartsAnonymous (@anonymous_darts) March 11, 2024
The altercation occurred at the Nuneaton Darts Open in Warwickshire, where Smith-Neale was accused of punching his opponent in the face following a defeat. The incident was recorded by a local security camera and later surfaced online. According to Smith-Neale, the confrontation stemmed from prior verbal threats allegedly made by his opponent towards him and his mother.
The DRA imposed an eight-month suspension, retroactively effective from March 12, 2024, barring Smith-Neale from participating in any sanctioned darts events. As a result, he lost his PDC Tour Card and missed the remainder of the 2024 season, including all PDC Pro Tour events.
Addressing the incident, Smith-Neale stated:
“The incident was a direct response to the threats he made towards my family, which were heard by others as well.”
He continued: “On the video, it looks like I punched him in the eye, but in reality, I just gave him a hard push. I have no regrets. If someone threatens my family, I would react the same way again.”
Following the completion of his suspension on November 11, 2024, Smith-Neale returned to competitive play, participating in events such as the MODUS Super Series. He has also indicated his intention to enter Q-School in January 2026, aiming to reclaim his place on the PDC Tour.
Sam Whittaker, the recipient of the altercation, has previously refuted claims of making threats, labelling Smith-Neale as a “sore loser” who “cannot handle defeat.”