Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports
Topics: Darts, World Darts Championship
Nasir Jabbar
Joe Cullen has issued an explosive statement in the wake of his crushing defeat to Mensur Suljovic at the World Darts Championship.
Cullen was eliminated from the World Darts Championship in Sunday's afternoon session.
He lost 3-1 to Austria's Suljovic, who frustrated his opponent with his actions during their second round match at Ally Pally.
Cullen grew increasingly frustrated with the 53-year-old for the time he took to retrieve his darts and appeared to get a telling off from referee Kirk Bevins for taking too long with his celebrations after legs.
Advert
After Suljovic threw the winning dart, he wheeled away in celebration before returning to the oche to console the Englishman.
But despite sharing a hug, Cullen was having none of his rival's antics.
The 36-year-old even glared at Suljovic as he flexed his muscles in front of the crowd following his victory.
Advert
Cullen has since taken to social media to express his dissatisfaction at his World Darts Championship clash against Suljovic.
He accused Suljovic of cheating and threatened to leave the sport in a strongly-worded post on X.
'The Rockstar' wrote: "If that’s darts, I don’t want no part of it!
Advert
"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."
Speaking after his win, Suljovic told Sky Sports: "I played brilliant. Respect for Joe Cullen! I shake his hand. I like him."
Advert
After the fiery game, Sky Sports pundit Dan Dawson shared his take on the incident between Suljovic and Cullen.
"Cullen wasn't playing particularly well but he also allowed Mensur to get away with some really average stuff and you could see by the end the frustrations telling," he said.
"Mensur has broken Joe Cullen's brain in that one. He couldn't stop Mensur at the end."
Suljovic faces the winner of Luke Littler vs. David Davies in the next round of the competition.