Cullen Blasts Suljovic: “It’s Not Darts” After Feisty Ally Pally Exit

The World Darts Championship is renowned for its electric atmosphere, sporting drama, and moments of pure tungsten brilliance. Yet, following a tense and fractious second-round encounter, the talk of Alexandra Palace is not a stunning checkout but a furious accusation of gamesmanship. Joe Cullen, defeated 3-1 by Austria’s Mensur Suljovic, launched a scathing critique of his opponent’s conduct, claiming the veteran’s deliberate, slow-paced style crossed a line from gamesmanship into something that fundamentally contradicts the spirit of the sport. “That’s not darts,” seethed Cullen, igniting a debate that cuts to the very heart of professional darts’ etiquette and psychological warfare.

A Clash of Tempos and Temperaments

The match itself was a classic stylistic clash. Joe Cullen, “The Rockstar,” operates with a fluid, rhythmic pace, a player in tune with the crowd’s energy. Mensur Suljovic, “The Gentle,” is the sport’s quintessential methodical craftsman, renowned for a pre-throw routine that involves meticulous wiping of his fingers and shafts, and a deliberate, almost glacial, approach to the oche. What transpired, however, appeared to Cullen to be an exaggerated version of this already slow style.

Cullen’s frustration was palpable throughout. He was seen on multiple occasions waiting at the oche, dart in hand, as Suljovic completed his lengthy preparations off-stage. The flow of the match was consistently disrupted. The crucial moment came in the third set, with Cullen threatening a comeback. During a pivotal leg, Suljovic’s extended pauses seemed to reach a peak, breaking Cullen’s concentration and momentum. The Austrian seized the set, and with it, effectively the match. The handshake at the conclusion was perfunctory, and Cullen’s post-match interview was a torrent of raw indignation.

“It’s Not Darts”: Dissecting Cullen’s Explosive Accusation

Cullen’s comments were not a mere complaint about slow play; they were a fundamental challenge to the acceptability of Suljovic’s methods within the framework of professional darts.

• Gamesmanship vs. Sportsmanship: Cullen explicitly framed Suljovic’s actions as intentional gamesmanship, designed solely to disrupt his rhythm. “He knows what he’s doing,” Cullen asserted, removing the possibility that it was simply a natural, albeit slow, playing style. This accusation places Suljovic’s tactics in the realm of psychological manipulation rather than pure skill execution.
• The “Spirit of Darts”: The phrase “that’s not darts” is a powerful one. It suggests Cullen believes there is an unwritten code—a respect for the flow of the game and the opponent’s right to play their own game. By dictating the tempo to such an extreme degree, Cullen implied Suljovic violated this code, winning through attrition rather than superior scoring or finishing.
• The Regulatory Grey Area: The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) rules state a player must throw their darts “within a reasonable time.” This subjectivity is the core of the issue. What is “reasonable” when one player’s natural rhythm is another player’s unbearable delay? Suljovic has used his methodical style for years, but Cullen’s very public fury raises the question: at what point does a unique style become an unfair advantage?

Expert analysis often highlights the mental battle in darts. Legends like Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld used pace control masterfully. However, the consensus typically distinguishes between a strategic pause—like taking a moment to recompose after a missed double—and a systematic, pre-meditated delay before every visit. Cullen’s argument places Suljovic’s actions firmly in the latter category.

Suljovic’s Defence and the Precedent of Pace

While yet to respond in detail to Cullen’s specific outburst, Suljovic has historically defended his pace as simply his process, not a tactic. He is a player of immense skill and gentle demeanour, a former European Champion and major finalist. His supporters argue that his style is as legitimate as any other, and that opponents must adapt—a key skill at the highest level.

This is not the first time pace of play has caused controversy. Earlier eras saw similar criticisms, though rarely with such public venom. The modern game, broadcast in high definition with shot clocks in many non-televised events, has created an expectation of a certain tempo. Suljovic exists as a notable outlier. The question for the sport’s governing bodies is whether this incident will prompt a review of the “reasonable time” rule, potentially leading to a more defined shot-clock in all televised matches, a move that would fundamentally alter how Suljovic and similar players compete.

Ramifications and Predictions: A Rift in the Darts World?

The fallout from this fiery encounter will ripple beyond Alexandra Palace.

• Immediate Tension: The locker room dynamic between Cullen, Suljovic, and their respective allies will be strained. Darts is a tight-knit touring community, and such public condemnation creates friction.
• Player Psychology: Future opponents of Suljovic will now enter matches with Cullen’s words ringing in their ears. They may be more quick to feel frustrated, or they may proactively speak to officials before the match about monitoring pace. It has placed a glaring spotlight on Suljovic’s routine.
• Fan Division: The darts fanbase will likely split. Some will side with Cullen, demanding a purer, faster contest of skill. Others will defend Suljovic’s right to play his game, arguing that mental fortitude is part of the test.
• Prediction for the Tournament: For Suljovic, the victory was paramount, but the controversy may become a cloud. He advances to a third-round match where the crowd, now hyper-aware of his pace, may become less neutral. The pressure to prove he can win without the shadow of controversy will be immense.

For Joe Cullen, this is a bitterly premature end to his World Championship campaign. The feisty encounter will leave a sour taste, but his forceful stance may catalyze a broader conversation. He has positioned himself as a defender of the sport’s traditional flow, a stance that will resonate with many players and purists.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Second-Round Spat

Joe Cullen’s defeat was not just a loss on the scoreboard; it was a defeat that challenged his very conception of fair play. By declaring Suljovic’s behaviour “not darts,” he fired a shot across the bow of the sport’s authorities and its participants. This incident transcends a single match result. It forces an examination of the delicate balance between individual style and collective sportsmanship, between gamesmanship and gamesperson-ship. In the high-stakes, high-pressure theatre of Ally Pally, where milliseconds and millimeters decide destinies, the question of who controls the clock is as crucial as who hits the double. The fallout from this feisty encounter ensures that, long after the 2024 champion is crowned, the debate over the soul and tempo of darts will continue to rage.

Source: Based on news from Sky Sports.