Joe Cullen accuses Mensur Suljovic of cheating after World Darts Championship defeat
Joe Cullen has launched a furious attack on Mensur Suljovic, branding the Austrian a “cheat” after crashing out of the World Darts Championship this afternoon, reports BritPanorama.
The 36-year-old Englishman lost 3-1 to Suljovic in their second-round clash at Alexandra Palace and wasted no time venting his frustration on social media.
Taking to X shortly after the match, Cullen did not hold back. “If that’s darts, I don’t want no part of it!” he wrote. He expressed his discontent further, stating, “Always liked Mensur away from the board but that was plain for all to see! I don’t think I’m alone in feeling this way. The old guard will say it’s part of the game but word it how you will – it’s CHEATING! That’s not darts.”
The match itself was a tense affair that saw Cullen start brilliantly, taking the opening set in dominant fashion. However, Suljovic’s tactics appeared to get under his skin. The 53-year-old Austrian took considerable time to collect his darts between throws and extended his celebrations after winning legs, prompting referee Kirk Bevins to intervene, warning Suljovic that his post-leg celebrations were dragging on too long.
Despite the intervention, the player nicknamed ‘The Gentle’ maintained his leisurely approach, ultimately sealing victory on double 10 after Cullen missed two darts to stay alive in the contest. The aftermath of the match showcased Cullen’s anger; visibly seething after the defeat, he shared a brief embrace with Suljovic before his rival celebrated in front of the crowd.
When Suljovic flexed his muscles in front of the Ally Pally crowd, Cullen shot him a pointed glare, indicating that while the two may share a mutual respect off the board, their relationship has been severely strained on it. Suljovic, for his part, appeared unfazed by the controversy surrounding him.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his win, Suljovic said: “I played brilliant. Respect for Joe Cullen! I shake his hand. I like him.” Sky Sports pundit Dan Dawson suggested that Suljovic had successfully got inside Cullen’s head during the match, stating, “Mensur has broken Joe Cullen’s brain in that one. He couldn’t stop Mensur at the end.”
The victory means Suljovic marches into round three, where a potential showdown with world number one and reigning champion Luke Littler could await if the teenager gets past Welshman David Davies.
In darts, as in life, emotions run high and rivalries can flare up in an instant; today’s match was a poignant reminder of how quickly intensity can seep into competition. One might ponder where the line between gamesmanship and unsporting tactics lies—an enduring question in the world of sport.
