‘That’s not darts’ – Joe Cullen accuses World Championship rival of ‘cheating’ after shock defeat

Joe Cullen has called darts rival Mensur Suljovic out for ‘cheating’ after he was knocked out of the World Darts Championship.

The world no.32 suffered a surprise 3-1 to Suljovic in their extremely frosty second-round clash at Alexandra Palace on Sunday afternoon.

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Throughout the match, Cullen could be seen moaning at the length of time his opponent was taking between throws and legs.

And with the match slipping away from him, the Englishman was spotted telling Suljovic to hurry up on stage.

But the Austrian didn’t change the approach that was working for him and he managed to get over the line to win.

His celebrations were huge, as he ran across the stage fist-pumping and shouting, something he had done earlier in the match too.

Cullen appeared to be in no mood to watch that happen, as when a smiling Suljovic walked back to him, he expressed his anger.

A joyous Suljovic shook hands with Cullen and tried to hug him, but the 32nd seed wasn’t having any of it, shrugging him off.

He shook his head and walked away as celebrations continued, but then, as his opponent did one final roar, he turned back.

‘Rockstar’ stared intensely towards Suljovic for a few seconds, with the latter noticing and then mimicking his walk as he walked off-stage.

Speaking on stage post-match, Suljovic reiterated his ‘respect’ for Cullen but couldn’t hide his joy at progressing.

It was a tense affair and one that looked sure to boil over – and now it has done, with a social media post after the action.

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X formerly Twitter / @SkySportsDarts

‘It’s cheating’

Cullen was clearly fuming on stage and he eventually went on to make his feelings known with a post on X on Sunday afternoon.

He wrote: “If that’s darts, I don’t want no part of it!

“Always liked Mensur away from the board, but that was plain for all to see!

“I don’t think I’m alone in feeling this way. The old guard will say it’s part of the game, but word it how you will – it’s CHEATING!

“That’s not darts.”

He then finished his post with a sad reaction emoji, showing how he leaves the World Darts Championship in disappointment.

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Cullen, who would have expected to go further in the tournament, has crashed out in the second round.

It means Suljovic has set up a potential meeting with Luke Littler.

The reigning world champion and world no.1 takes on David Davies on Sunday evening, looking to continue his title defence.

Suljovic takes on Littler or Davies on Saturday, December 27.