Mensur Suljovic has broken his silence after being accused of cheating by Joe Cullen following their heated clash at the World Darts Championship.
The Austrian edged past Cullen 3–1 at Alexandra Palace, but the match was overshadowed by controversy after Cullen launched a furious social media rant, branding Suljovic a “cheat” and questioning whether he even wanted to remain in the sport.
Suljovic: “I Played My Game”
Speaking after the match, Mensur Suljovic rejected the accusation, insisting he had done nothing wrong and remained within the rules throughout the contest.
“I played brilliant,” Suljovic said. “Respect for Joe Cullen. I shook his hand — I like him.”
Suljovic made it clear that his deliberate tempo was simply part of his natural playing style, one he has used throughout his career and at every level of professional darts.
Style Under Scrutiny Again
Suljovic’s methodical approach has long divided opinion on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit. While some players find it disruptive, officials have consistently ruled that it does not breach any regulations.
There was no intervention from referees during the match, and no indication from the Darts Regulation Authority that any rules were broken.
Cullen’s Frustration Boils Over
Cullen’s anger appeared to build as the match progressed, with the Englishman struggling to settle into a rhythm. After Suljovic sealed victory, Cullen later took to X, accusing his opponent of cheating and describing the contest as “not darts.”
The outburst sparked debate among fans and pundits, with opinion split between those who sympathised with Cullen’s frustrations and others who argued that adapting to different playing styles is part of the professional game.
Sportsmanship Maintained On Stage
Despite the fallout, the two players shared a handshake and brief embrace on stage after the final dart — a moment Suljovic highlighted as evidence there was no personal animosity.
“For me, respect is important,” Suljovic added. “We play hard, but we respect each other.”
Focus Shifts Back to the Tournament
With the controversy still swirling, Suljovic is keen to move on and focus on his next challenge at Alexandra Palace. Cullen, meanwhile, has been left reflecting on a World Championship exit that ended in frustration and anger rather than celebration.
As the tournament continues, the incident has once again shone a spotlight on the ongoing debate over pace of play — and where the line between gamesmanship and fair play should be drawn in modern darts.
