Richie Burnett receives 18-month ban after positive cocaine test

UK Anti-Doping has announced that former world darts champion Richie Burnett has been suspended from all sports for 18 months after testing positive for cocaine.

The 48-year-old, who won the BDO title in 1995, provided the positive test following a PDC Grand Slam qualifier in Wigan in early November 2014.

"All athletes adhere to the principle of strict liability. No matter what the circumstances, they are solely responsible for any prohibited substance found in their system," UKAD legal director Graham Arthur said in a statement.

"This can be challenging for athletes, as the onus falls to them to prove how, and why, their sample tested positive, and to show there was no significant fault."

The ban has been backdated, which means that the Welshman can return to action in May 2016.