‘Karma will catch up with him’: Mensur Suljovic faces backlash over Basel Antics

Mensur Suljovic has found himself at the centre of controversy in the darts world following his conduct during the weekend’s Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel.

The incident occurred during his last-16 clash against Ross Smith, with Suljovic on the verge of defeat. At 5-5, Smith had the opportunity to seal the match but missed his first attempt at double 18. As scattered whistles came from the crowd, Suljovic appeared to seize the moment, gesturing towards the spectators and encouraging a louder reaction that could potentially disrupt his opponent’s concentration.

The tactic appeared to have an impact, as Smith missed his second match dart. Suljovic responded with a fist pump before completing his comeback from 3-5 down, returning to the oche to finish a 55 checkout and secure a dramatic victory.

Smith later addressed the incident on X, insisting that his defeat was ultimately his own responsibility.

“I don’t blame Mensur for losing this match. I missed two match darts. It’s as simple as that,” Smith wrote.

However, the Englishman also expressed his frustration with Suljovic’s conduct during the deciding moments.

“Of course, I can’t know what he does behind my back while I’m throwing – apart from the crowd’s reactions. If he wants to be an absolute helmet, that’s his business. Karma will catch up with him,” Smith added.

Suljovic Hits Back at Ross Smith’s Criticism

The controversy continued after Suljovic secured a convincing 6-1 quarter-final victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode.

Speaking to master of ceremonies Philip Brzezinski, the Austrian was asked about his behaviour against Smith and the criticism that followed.

Suljovic dismissed his opponent’s complaints, questioning why a player of Smith’s calibre would be distracted by the crowd.

“Ross Smith is one of the best players in the world. What is the guy complaining about? He has to play his game. Otherwise he might as well go home. Women complain, sorry, you don’t do that,” Suljovic said.

The Austrian also claimed that he regularly faces hostile crowds when competing in England and suggested that Smith should simply accept the situation.

“Whenever I’m in England, everyone is against me. They’re against me everywhere. And now all of a sudden he’s complaining. He might as well stay at home,” he added.

Second Controversial Incident in Less Than a Year

The Basel incident is not the first time Mensur Suljovic has faced criticism over his on-stage conduct.

At the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship, Suljovic faced Joe Cullen in the second round. During the contest, the Austrian was accused of celebrating excessively and taking too long to return to the oche, prompting visible frustration from his opponent.

Cullen, who lost the match 3-1, subsequently took to X to voice his displeasure with Suljovic’s behaviour.

“If this is supposed to be darts, then I want nothing to do with it!” Cullen wrote.

“The old guard will say it’s part of the game, but however you look at it – this is CHEATING! That’s not darts,” he added.

With criticism now emerging from both Ross Smith and Joe Cullen, Suljovic’s conduct has once again become a talking point among darts fans. Whether the incidents are viewed as gamesmanship or unsporting behaviour, the debate surrounding the Austrian’s approach on stage shows little sign of disappearing.