A Sky Sports pundit has delivered a brutally honest verdict on the explosive row between Joe Cullen and Mensur Suljovic, following their controversial clash at the World Darts Championship.
The feud erupted after Cullen accused Suljovic of cheating in a furious post-match outburst, but broadcaster and commentator Dan Dawson believes the blame does not lie solely with the Austrian.
“Mensur Broke Joe Cullen’s Brain”
Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, Dawson offered a stark assessment of what unfolded at Alexandra Palace, suggesting Cullen allowed frustration to derail his own performance.
“Joe Cullen wasn’t playing particularly well,” Dawson said. “But he also allowed Mensur to get away with some really average stuff, and by the end you could see the frustration telling.
“Mensur Suljovic broke Joe Cullen’s brain in that one. He couldn’t stop him.”
The comments were a cutting summary of a match in which Cullen appeared increasingly irritated by Suljovic’s deliberate pace and methodical approach.
Row Erupts After Ally Pally Clash
Cullen was eliminated 3–1 by Suljovic during Sunday afternoon’s session at Alexandra Palace. After the match, Cullen took to social media to accuse his opponent of cheating, claiming such tactics were “not darts” and even hinting he could walk away from the sport.
Suljovic, however, dismissed the accusation, insisting he had simply played his natural game and remained within the rules.
Style vs. Substance Debate Returns
Suljovic’s slow tempo has long divided opinion on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit. While some players find it disruptive, officials have repeatedly confirmed it does not breach any regulations.
Dawson’s analysis suggested that adapting to different styles is part of elite darts — especially on the World Championship stage.
No Rule Breach Identified
There was no intervention from referees during the contest, and no indication from the Darts Regulation Authority that Suljovic had crossed any line.
That reality has left Cullen’s accusations open to criticism, with many arguing that emotional control is just as important as scoring power in high-pressure matches.
Fallout Continues
While the tournament moves on, the incident has reignited debate about gamesmanship, tempo, and where responsibility lies when frustration boils over.
For Dawson, the conclusion was clear and unsparing: Suljovic didn’t cheat — he out-thought his opponent. And in a sport decided as much by mindset as mechanics, Cullen paid the price for letting irritation dictate the outcome.
