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

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

One darts legend jokingly suggested that the punishment should have been life in prison’

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.