NO SUL-KING! Mensur Suljovic hits back after being accused of ‘cheating’ by Joe Cullen following shock World Darts Championship win
Mensur Suljovic has firmly rejected accusations of cheating after his surprise victory over Joe Cullen at the World Darts Championship sparked heated debate in the darts world.
The Austrian star, nicknamed The Gentle, produced a gritty and unexpected performance to knock out Cullen in a tense match that quickly became one of the most talked-about contests of the tournament. However, the drama did not end on the Alexandra Palace stage. Shortly after the defeat, Cullen appeared to suggest that Suljovic’s behaviour during the match crossed the line, fuelling accusations of gamesmanship and, in his words, “cheating”.
Cullen was visibly frustrated during the contest, repeatedly stepping back from the oche and exchanging words with officials. Following the match, he questioned Suljovic’s slow pace and movement on stage, implying it disrupted his rhythm at key moments. While he stopped short of making a formal complaint, his comments were enough to ignite controversy among fans and pundits alike.
Suljovic, however, was quick to defend himself and deny any wrongdoing. Speaking after the match, the former Premier League star insisted he had simply played within the rules and in a way that has always been part of his game.
“I did nothing wrong,” Suljovic said. “I play my game, the same way I have played for many years. I respect Joe as a player, but I would never cheat. Everything I did was allowed.”
The 51-year-old also stressed that his methodical style should not come as a surprise. Known throughout his career for his deliberate pace and intense focus, Suljovic has often divided opinion, but tournament officials have repeatedly confirmed that his approach is legal.
“I don’t change my rhythm to annoy someone,” he added. “This is how I concentrate. If the referee says something is wrong, I will change. But nobody said that.”
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) rules allow players freedom over their tempo, as long as they do not deliberately distract an opponent. No official complaint was upheld during or after the match, and match officials did not intervene beyond routine checks.
Former players and analysts were split in their reactions. Some sympathised with Cullen, arguing that Suljovic’s style can be difficult to deal with under pressure. Others defended the Austrian, pointing out that coping with different rhythms is part of the mental challenge of elite darts.
Suljovic now hopes the focus will return to his performance rather than the controversy. “I came here to play darts and enjoy the stage,” he said. “I won because I scored better at the right moments. That’s all.”
As the World Darts Championship continues, the incident has reignited a familiar debate about pace, psychology and sportsmanship. But for now, Suljovic remains adamant: there was no cheating—just a shock win and a storm of reaction that followed.
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