In a stunning and incendiary interview ahead of the European Darts Grand Prix, veteran Austrian star Mensur Suljovic has launched an extraordinary attack on teenage sensation Luke Littler, accusing the 17-year-old of deliberately avoiding smaller PDC events—allegedly because the conditions make it “harder for him to cheat.”
Speaking to German-language media outlet Sport1, Suljovic, 52, did not hold back. “Everyone talks about Luke as the future of darts, but nobody asks the real question: why does he never play the Players Championships or the Development Tour anymore?” Suljovic said. “He claims it’s about rest and scheduling. I say it’s because smaller venues don’t have the big-stage cameras.”
Suljovic then went further, alleging that Littler uses subtle, hard-to-detect movements at the oche during televised majors—movements he claimed are less effective when matches are played on crowded floor boards without full TV scrutiny.
“When there are only four cameras, not twenty, it’s harder for him to do what he does. The quick glance, the extra step before the throw—these things get missed. He knows this,” Suljovic added. “Luke is not stupid. He picks his spots. Big stage, big money, big cameras—that’s where he feels safe. But a cold Tuesday in Wigan with fifty people watching? Suddenly he is always ‘too tired’ or ‘needs a break.’”
Littler, who has skyrocketed to fame since his run to the PDC World Championship final in January, has indeed skipped several floor events in recent months, citing a grueling schedule and focusing on televised ranking majors. His management team has repeatedly stated that he is managing workload to protect his long-term health.
Suljovic dismissed that outright. “Health? Please. He throws darts. The real reason is he knows the smaller tournaments are fairer. No distractions. No hiding.”
The PDC has not yet commented on the allegations, which mark an unprecedented public accusation of cheating against one of the sport’s most marketable young stars. Littler himself responded briefly on social media: “Laughable. Let my darts do the talking. See you on the big stage, Mensur—where all the cameras are.”
Fans were quick to react, with most ridiculing Suljovic’s claim. One popular darts forum post read: “Mensur needs to put down the ale. Littler is 17 and already better than Suljovic ever was. Sour grapes.”
Others, however, noted that Suljovic—known for his own meticulous, deliberate throwing style—may simply be frustrated by Littler’s rapid ascent and selective scheduling.
The two players are not scheduled to meet in the near future, but with Suljovic’s explosive comments, any future clash is now primed to be one of the most hostile encounters in recent darts history.
For now, the darts world is left wondering: is Suljovic voicing a genuine, long-simmering suspicion, or is this simply the bitter rant of a veteran eclipsed by a precocious teenager? Either way, the story has thrown a sudden, dark shadow over the sport’s brightest young star.
