The festive atmosphere at the World Darts Championship was pierced by a bitter row on Saturday evening, as Joe Cullen launched a scathing attack on opponent Mensur Suljovic, accusing the Austrian veteran of 'cheating' following a tense second-round clash at Alexandra Palace.
A Tense Clash and a Scathing Accusation
The match saw 'The Rockstar' Cullen take an early lead, but Suljovic staged a remarkable fightback to win 3-1. The contest was marked by rising tension, with Cullen visibly frustrated by his opponent's notoriously deliberate pace. The Bradford thrower was seen sarcastically checking his watch and muttering 'hurry up' as the 53-year-old prepared at the oche.
Cullen's irritation extended to Suljovic's extended celebrations, culminating in a frosty post-match handshake where sharp words were exchanged. As he left the stage, Cullen turned back to shoot a cold stare at the celebrating Austrian before taking to social media to unleash his fury.
'That's CHEATING!' - Cullen's Furious Outburst
In a furious post on X, formerly Twitter, Cullen did not hold back. "If that's darts, I don't want no part of it!" he wrote. "Always liked Mensur away from the board but that was plain for all to see!... The old guard will say it's part of the game but word it how you will - it's CHEATING! That's not darts."
His comments have ignited a fierce debate within the darts community about gamesmanship, slow play, and the boundaries of sportsmanship at the highest level.
Suljovic's Baffled Response
When confronted with Cullen's accusations in his post-match press conference, a bemused Suljovic defended his style. "Never have I ever said sorry to Joe Cullen in person," he stated. "I play on that stage, what's his problem?... Everybody plays different."
The Austrian explained that his methodical 40-second preparation before his first dart was a necessary part of his routine to maintain focus. He suggested Cullen's frustration may have stemmed from his celebrations, admitting "Maybe I am... my face or 'come on' too much," but maintained he had done nothing wrong.
The victory sets up a potential third-round showdown for Suljovic against the defending champion, Luke Littler, provided the 18-year-old sensation overcomes NHS area manager David Davies in his next match.
