Joe Cullen has taken to social media to criticize Mensur Suljovic, accusing the experienced darts player of unfair play. The English player faced a disappointing loss to Suljovic in a tense second-round match at the World Darts Championship.
Suljovic made an impressive comeback from being one set down to claim a 3-1 victory over Cullen at Alexandra Palace. Throughout the game, Cullen displayed frustration by glancing at his watch sarcastically and muttering ‘hurry up’ to himself as the 53-year-old Austrian took his time preparing to throw at the oche.
While Suljovic is known for his deliberate pace compared to other players, Cullen, also known as ‘the Rockstar,’ grew increasingly irritated by his opponent’s slow play and prolonged celebrations. After the match, tensions escalated during the handshake between Cullen and Suljovic, with sharp words exchanged before Suljovic simply laughed it off.
Upon leaving the stage, Cullen halted, turned back, and gave Suljovic a cold stare as the Austrian celebrated with the audience. Cullen expressed his anger on social media, stating that what he witnessed was not in the spirit of the game, calling it cheating and emphasizing that it was not how darts should be played.
When questioned about Cullen’s reaction and whether he had apologized for his slow play during a post-match interview, Suljovic appeared puzzled. He stated that he had never personally apologized to Cullen and defended his playing style, emphasizing that everyone has their own approach to the game.
Looking ahead, Suljovic may face defending world champion Luke Littler in the next round. Littler is set to compete against NHS area manager David Davies in his upcoming match.
The PDC World Darts Championship commenced on December 11, and fans can catch all the action live exclusively on Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.