World Championship drama continued off the oche this week as Joe Cullen refused to back down from his controversial accusation that Mensur Suljovic was “cheating” during their second-round match at the PDC World Darts Championship — even after reflecting on the defeat in the days following the game. (LiveDarts)
Cullen, who exited the tournament after losing 3-1 to the Austrian veteran, had publicly criticised Suljovic’s tactics, claiming his opponent’s slow pace of play and lengthy celebrations were intended to disrupt Cullen’s concentration — behaviour Cullen labelled as unfair and, in strong terms, “cheating”. (TalkSport)
In recent comments to local press in his hometown of Bradford, Cullen stood by his remarks, saying he still believes Suljovic’s approach crossed a line — despite acknowledging that some of his own frustration stemmed from a “head loss” after the match, rather than just the style of play itself. (LiveDarts)
“I know he plays that way most of the time, but he was worse than usual,” Cullen explained, reflecting on how maddening he found the tactics. He also noted that the referee had even issued Suljovic a warning during the game — something he said he had “never seen before” in professional play. (Sport1.de)
Despite the fiery language, Cullen also admitted that part of his reaction was influenced by his own performance — including missed darts and a match he believed he should have won comfortably. “Ultimately he was very poor and that’s the most frustrating thing for myself,” he said. (LiveDarts)
Suljovic — known on tour for his slower, methodical style — has denied any attempt to deliberately unsettle Cullen, saying he does things for his own game and not to provoke opponents. Other players, including rising star Luke Littler, have suggested that Suljovic’s style should not be considered cheating but simply part of the sport. (The Sun)
The row has drawn mixed reactions from fans and pundits, with some backing Cullen’s concerns about gamesmanship, while others argue such tactics fall within the accepted range of competitive play. (SPORTbible)
As the Championship continues, attention will likely remain on how players handle psychological battles as much as the darts themselves — especially in the high-pressure environment of the Ally Pally stage.
