Joe Cullen recently took to social media to criticize Mensur Suljovic, accusing the experienced darts player of dishonesty. Cullen faced a disappointing loss to Suljovic in a closely fought second-round match at the World Darts Championship.
Despite initially trailing, Suljovic mounted a remarkable comeback to clinch a 3-1 victory over Cullen at Alexandra Palace. Throughout the game, Cullen displayed impatience by repeatedly checking his watch and muttering ‘hurry up’ to himself while Suljovic, known for his slower pace, prepared for his throws at the oche.
Tensions escalated as Cullen grew increasingly frustrated with Suljovic’s deliberate pace and prolonged celebrations. Following the match, a heated exchange occurred between the two players during the handshake, with Suljovic responding to Cullen’s sharp words with laughter.
Expressing his anger, Cullen took to social media, posting, “If that’s darts, I want no part of it! Always respected Mensur off the board, but that behavior was clear to everyone! I’m not alone in feeling this way. While some may call it part of the game, it’s plain cheating! That’s not how darts should be played.”
When questioned about Cullen’s outburst and whether he had apologized for his slow gameplay at a press conference, Suljovic appeared puzzled. He stated, “I have never personally apologized to Joe Cullen. Everyone has their own style of play on that stage. What’s his issue? I wait around 40 seconds before my first dart. This is how I play, and it’s not acceptable to be criticized for it.”
Further pressed on the matter, Suljovic expressed confusion about Cullen’s grievances and emphasized that his style of play was within the norms of the sport. Despite the tensions, Suljovic acknowledged Cullen as a good person but reiterated his commitment to his playing style.
Looking ahead, Suljovic could potentially face defending world champion Luke Littler in the next round, with Littler set to compete against darts player and NHS area manager David Davies in his upcoming match.
The PDC World Darts Championship commences on December 11, with fans able to watch every match live exclusively through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.