Joe Cullen has accused Mensur Suljovic of cheating after the Austrian’s slow play during their second-round clash at the PDC World Darts Championship. Suljovic secured a 3-1 victory at Alexandra Palace, but Cullen was left furious over his opponent’s deliberate pace.
Taking to social media, Cullen posted on X: “If that’s darts, I don’t want no 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 will say it’s part of the game but word it how you will – it’s CHEATING! That’s not darts.”
Suljovic denied any wrongdoing, saying: “I don’t know, what’s his problem? I give him missed doubles, everything. I like Joe Cullen, a very nice guy. I never ever play slow. I do it only for my game. I’m never doing this for him.”
Meanwhile, 2018 champion Rob Cross eased into the third round with a 3-1 win over Ian White. Cross, who has struggled this year with early exits in major tournaments, now looks to add a second world title. Krzysztof Ratajski also advanced with a 3-1 victory over Ryan Joyce, and Luke Woodhouse beat Max Hopp 3-0.
In other news, Dom Taylor has apologised after being removed from the tournament for failing a drugs test. The 27-year-old had beaten Oskar Lukasiak in the first round but later tested positive in a random anti-doping procedure. Taylor admitted lying in his post-match interview and cited personal struggles, including the anniversary of his daughter’s death.
