Joe Cullen recently took to social media to heavily criticize Mensur Suljovic, accusing the seasoned darts player of unfair play. The English player faced a disappointing loss to Suljovic in a tense second-round match at the World Darts Championship.
Despite initially trailing, Suljovic staged a remarkable comeback to clinch a 3-1 victory over Cullen at Alexandra Palace. Throughout the game, Cullen visibly showed impatience by glancing sarcastically at his watch and muttering ‘hurry up’ to himself as Suljovic, known for his deliberate pace, prepared to throw.
The tension escalated as Cullen grew increasingly frustrated with Suljovic’s slow play and prolonged celebrations. Their post-match handshake was marred by a heated exchange of words, with Cullen shooting a cold stare at Suljovic as the Austrian basked in the audience’s applause.
Expressing his anger on social media, Cullen publicly stated, “If that’s darts, I don’t want any part of it! 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 may justify it, but no matter how you phrase it – it’s CHEATING! That’s not darts.”
When questioned about Cullen’s outburst and whether he had apologized for his slow pace, Suljovic appeared puzzled, stating, “I have never personally apologized to Joe Cullen. I play on that stage, so what’s his issue? I might apologize to the referee, but Joe Cullen? Never. Everyone has their own style.”
In the upcoming round, Suljovic might face defending world champion Luke Littler, who will be up against NHS area manager David Davies in his next match. The World Darts Championship by the PDC commences on December 11, with fans able to watch all matches live exclusively on Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.