"It’s CHEATING! That’s not darts" - Joe Cullen reacts to Mensur Suljovic's contentious antics during PDC World Darts Championship defeat
PDCMonday, 22 December 2025 at 10:35
Joe Cullen was very dissatisfied with Mensur Suljovic's antics in his 3-1 defeat to the Gentle Giant in a very contentious matchup in the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship.
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Cullen got out of the blocks quicker, winning the first set in dominant fashion. However, his level plummeted as the match prolonged with Suljovic winning the second set with a 77 average. He backed this up by clinching the third set with The Rockstar clearly looking unsettled. Referee Kirk Bevins at one point said something to Suljovic, hinting that his celebrations were lasting too long.
Throughout the matchup, Suljovic was taking his sweet time, playing at a lethargic pace. His celebrations were also very elongated and regular. He continued this throughout the match and managed to just get over the line on double 10 after the former Premier League runner-up missed two darts to stay in the match.
Cullen went straight to X to share his feelings on the Austrian's actions on the oche. "If that’s darts , I don’t want no part of it!" he wrote. "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."
Suljovic will march on into the next round, where a possible clash against world number one and reigning world champion Luke Littler could be on the cards if he finds a way past Welshman David Davies.
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Lucas MichaelDarts Journalist
Lucas Michael is a darts journalist and reporter based in Cambridge, UK, and has been part of the DartsNews team since 2025. He covers professional darts through reports, analysis, round-ups, and live coverage, with a focus on clear context and accurate reporting across the PDC calendar.
A key part of his work is liveblogging major tournaments throughout the year, providing real-time updates, match coverage, and contextual reporting across the professional circuit. He also reports regularly from events on site and has covered the PDC World Darts Championship from the venue, delivering first-hand insight throughout the tournament.
Within the newsroom, Lucas works closely with the editorial team and supports coverage alongside Chief Content Officer Samuel Gill and reporter Kieran Wood.
Lucas holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. In his work, he places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating content promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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