‘Silly, silly boy’ – Top darts stars give verdict on former wonderkid Leighton Bennett’s 8-year match-fixing ban

MOST of the world’s top darts players AGREE with Leighton Bennett’s eight-year ban for match fixing.

Bennett, 18, was found guilty of ten counts of rigging four games at a hearing last month.

He also provided inside information about the matches, failed to assist in an investigation and signed a contract with an unregistered manager.

Bennett was dropped by sponsors Target Darts earlier this week following his ban.

He once vowed to go toe-to-toe with Luke Littler after first making the headlines six years ago by beating legend Phil Taylor in an exhibition match aged 13, but now must walk away from the oche.

Michael van Gerwen believes the punishment matches the crime and will benefit darts moving forward.

Speaking to Dutch outlet Sportnieuws, Van Gerwen said: “I completely agree. I’m not shocked by it, I think it’s totally justified.

“I think more things happened after that that couldn’t go through. That it added up and they want to deal with this rock hard.

“How can they do that? By punishing rock hard. This sets an example.”

Meanwhile, world No1 Luke Humphries also likes the fact that match-fixing is being dealt with very strictly.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

Humphries said: “Silly, silly boy. We want to ban that kind of thing from the sport. This shouldn’t even occur to you to do.

“If you also deny it and are found guilty, then you have to live with the harshest measures. Hopefully this will keep all match-fixing players away. Integrity is important in our sport.”

Raymond van Barneveld also fully agrees with the Darts Regulation Authority’s decision.

The Dutch legend added: “A tough, but right punishment. I quite understand that when you’re eighteen you can sometimes be rather thoughtless.

“But if you let yourself be so easily persuaded to give away games, there have been so many warnings that this would be dealt with harshly.

“Maybe the punishment should have been life in prison. That would totally shock the dart world.

“Then everyone would think. It’s not right, it shouldn’t be and it can’t be justified.”

But James Wade, 41, who has reached the semi-finals of the world championships on four occasions, feels the punishment was too severe.

Wade told The Daily Star: “Now, I don’t know all the details but Leighton has been found guilty and he should be punished. However, I just think the eight-year ban is harsh.

“With this ban at just 18 years old, his professional darts career is effectively over. He has gone from darts prodigy to losing everything based on a misguided decision.

“I don’t personally know Leighton, but I hope there is a duty of care in place and someone is keeping an eye on him.”

Bennett was initially suspended back in August once suspicious betting patterns were detected following his participation in the Modus Super Series last year.

The Lincoln-born thrower and fellow pro Billy Warriner were under investigation by the DRA.

As for Warriner, he admitted to 19 of the 21 charges against him and was banned for 10 years.

The 23-year-old was also found guilty of insulting an official and threatening an opponent.

The disgraced pair, who have also been ordered to pay £8,100 each in costs, have until 14 December to appeal.

Bennett became the youngest ever BDO youth champion when he won the competition at the age of 13 in 2019.

He won a card on the professional PDC Tour earlier this year and vowed to rival World Championship runner-up Littler.