Adrian Lewis free to make darts return after getting suspended ban for UK Open altercation
Thursday 8 February 2018 11:09, UK
Adrian Lewis can return to playing darts after being handed a three-month suspended ban and a £3,000 fine after an incident at a UK Open qualifier.
Lewis was involved in an altercation with Jose Justicia Perales last Friday and has been suspended since then.
Lewis, a two-time world champion, confronted Justicia during and after the eighth leg - and then again after the match, which he won 6-5.
The Darts Regulation Authority released a statement on Thursday which read: "On Wednesday February 7, the DRA Disciplinary Committee heard the case of Adrian Lewis concerning the incidents in his match with Jose Perales on Friday February 2 2018.
"Mr Lewis has been suspended since the incident.
"He admitted breaching the DRA Rules and received a three-month suspension from competing which is suspended for six months.
"He was also fined £3,000."
Lewis, 33, has experienced a tough couple of months after suffering a first-round exit at the World Championship and losing his place in the Premier League.
He said in a statement: "I deeply regret that my frustrations got the better of me, as I felt my opponent was trying to provoke me.
"I realise now that I should have reported any problems to tournament officials instead of confronting Jose Antonio Justicia Perales after the match.
"I would like to offer my sincere apologies to the PDC, the sponsors of the event Coral, my own sponsors, who I thank for their loyalty and support, my manager, darts fans and finally my family.
"I would like to say a big thank you for all of the kind messages sent to me from all over the world, and now I just want to put all this behind me and concentrate on playing the game I love and trying to make my way back to the top."
