‘It is harsh,’ says James Wade as he says disgraced darts star banned for eight years ‘should get another opportunity’

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP semi-finalist James Wade insists darts star Leighton Bennett’s eight-year ban is “harsh”.

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

James Wade has offered sympathy to Leighton BennettGetty

Bennett has been banned for eight yearsRex

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 had enjoyed a rivalry with Luke Littler as a youngster, but has now been forced to leave the sport.

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

Speaking to The Daily Star, he said: “I have not been avoiding sporting news channels, so I am aware of the eight-year ban given to Leighton Bennett by the Darts Regulation Authority for match fixing.

“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.

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“I know he parted ways with his manager last year and if he has been badly advised, or left to his own devices to make these wrong decisions, then surely there should be an opportunity for rehabilitation.”

He continued: “It happens in other sports, such as athletics and boxing, where a two or three year ban is imposed, and that person is given one final chance to put it right.

“He has put his whole life into darts and it is a shame he’s not going to get another opportunity at it.

“As for me, I will keep up the practice and then I am off to Manchester on Friday for one final exhibition event before the World Championships and when I face off against this year’s first opponent. I wonder who it could be?”

Bennett, from Lincoln, caught the attention of darts fans at the age of just 13 when he beat 16-time world champion Phil Taylor.

He became the youngest ever world youth champion after lifting the trophy at 13 and was tipped as a future superstar.

Bennett previously spoke about wanting his rivalry with Littler to be the “next Phil Taylor vs Raymond van Barneveld”.

He said: “I’d love for Luke and I to be the next big thing of darts and I genuinely believe we can be.

“At our ages we could seriously be winning titles for the next 30 years.

“I’m looking forward to battling with Luke and players like Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross, who has been a mentor for me.

“I think I’ve played Luke 50 or 60 times. I’ve got a better record over him, only because I was a bit older probably.”