The PDC World Darts Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace delivered yet another dose of high-stakes drama on December 21, 2025, as England’s Joe Cullen suffered a shocking second-round exit at the hands of Austria’s Mensur Suljovic. What started as a competitive clash between two tour veterans quickly descended into acrimony, with Cullen launching a scathing attack on his opponent, accusing him of outright cheating through deliberate slow play.
The 36-year-old Cullen, seeded 32nd and nicknamed “The Rockstar” for his flamboyant style, began strongly by claiming the opening set. His powerful scoring threatened to overwhelm the 53-year-old Suljovic, known as “The Gentle” despite his reputation for a glacial pace on the oche. However, the Austrian’s experience shone through as he battled back, winning the next three sets to seal a 3-1 victory. Suljovic came from 2-1 down in the decisive fourth set, capitalizing on Cullen’s missed doubles to advance to the third round, where he could face defending champion Luke Littler pending the teenager’s result.
Tensions had been building throughout the afternoon session in front of a packed, raucous crowd. Suljovic’s methodical approach—long pauses before throws, extended celebrations after legs, and slow dart retrieval—visibly frustrated Cullen, who was caught gesturing impatiently and even sarcastically checking an imaginary watch. At one stage, referee Kirk Bevins intervened, approaching Suljovic to address the prolonged celebrations and urge a quicker pace.
The real explosion came post-match. During the traditional handshake, words were exchanged, and as Cullen gathered his darts and headed off stage, he paused, turned, and delivered a prolonged death stare toward Suljovic, who was soaking up the applause from fans.
Cullen wasted no time venting his fury on social media, posting: “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.”
Commentators highlighted the clash of styles in real time, noting how Suljovic’s tactics disrupted Cullen’s rhythm. One pundit remarked on the drama, saying Cullen “saved it all to the end” and “didn’t appreciate what was going on,” but added that this is exactly “what you get when you play Mensur Suljovic.” Another former player defended the approach as gamesmanship, pointing out that Cullen missed crucial darts and averaged poorly in key moments, suggesting his own performance issues contributed more to the loss than any external factors.
Suljovic, unfazed in his post-match interview, denied any intentional disruption. “I don’t know, what’s his problem? I give him missed doubles, everything. I like Joe Cullen, a very nice guy. I never ever play slow. I do it only for my game. I’m never doing this for him. Sorry Joe, never do this. I love him, man.” He explained his routine further: “I wait maybe 40 seconds before first dart, but some guys [gestures throwing motion] and my head [gestures almost being hit]. This is not okay.” When asked if he’d apologized directly to Cullen, he was adamant: “Never have I ever said sorry to Joe Cullen in person. I play on that stage, what’s his problem? I say sorry, maybe, to the referee maybe, but for Joe Cullen? Never.”
This controversy reignites longstanding debates in darts about pace of play. The PDC has no strict shot clock like some other tours, but rules prohibit deliberate delays intended to unsettle opponents, classifying them as unsportsmanlike conduct with potential penalties. Suljovic has faced similar accusations before, yet his style has helped him reach multiple major quarter-finals and disrupt faster players.
For Cullen, the defeat caps a frustrating year where he’s slipped in the rankings despite flashes of brilliance. His outspoken reaction has divided opinion—some fans and analysts label him a sore loser, while others sympathize, arguing slow play undermines the sport’s entertainment value. Pundits have urged restraint, with one suggesting Cullen should focus on his missed opportunities rather than external excuses.
As the championship rolls on toward the festive period, this feud adds extra spice. Suljovic’s potential matchup with Littler could be a blockbuster, blending the veteran’s cunning with the young star’s explosive scoring. Moments like these underscore darts’ unique blend of skill, psychology, and raw emotion, turning Alexandra Palace into a cauldron of unforgettable theater year after year. Whether this incident prompts rule changes or fades into tournament lore remains to be seen, but it has certainly ignited passionate discussions across the darts community.
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