Former footballer handed two-year darts ban for match-fixing

Darts star Jack Main has been banned from the sport for two years after being found guilty of match-fixing.

The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) suspended him last November following suspicious betting activity on his match against Lisa Ashton in the Modus Super Series Event in June. After an investigation, DRA chairman Nigel Mawer ruled that Main had broken the DRA Betting Rules.

There is no suggestion that Ashton was involved. Main lost 4-0 to Ashton in the match and has now been banned until December 2025 and fined over £750. A DRA statement said: "Jack Main has been suspended from attending or competing in DRA governed events until 31st December 2025 and to pay £762.41 in costs. He has the right to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Committee."

Main has not said anything about the ban, but he has been active on X (formerly Twitter). He shared a tweet that read: "Jack Main has been absolutely shafted here, with no evidence released, he now has to live the rest of his life with a big 'cheat' sign above his head, countless messages of abuse, loss of earnings and loss of respect from his peers and fans of darts."

Before he lost to Ashton, Main beat Ryan Harrington and Thibault Tricole, but lost to Simon McGuirk.

Main now can't play until 2026 unless he decides to appeal the decision. He started playing darts only seven years ago after hanging up his football boots because of a knee injury.

He told the Eastern Daily Press about his football days: "I played for Norwich as a young lad. When I got released I went to Lowestoft I was on the verge of signing for their first team when I got injured."

"I snapped my kneecap in three places. I've got three screws in my knee now and they took my cartilage out. My knee was an