ESIC bans 4 Counter-Strike players for match-fixing
In a public statement released earlier, the Esports Integrity Commision(ESIC) announced their decision to suspend four Counter-Strike players on the grounds of matchfixing.
As per the ruling, Dmytro “SENSEi” Shvorak, Maksym “THRONE” Semenov, Artur “DarkS1DE” Kravchenko, Danylo “nat1ve” Bakin can’t participate in any ESIC member events for two years following the investigations into Akuma, Project X and Majesty.
During their investigation, ESIC found substantial evidence and confidential information confirming the players’ involvement in multiple match-fixing activities. These activities breached the ESIC Code of Conduct and Anti-Corruption Code.
SENSEi garnered much attention during his time on Akuma playing the CIS RMR in 2021. The Akuma team members were accused of cheating but the allegations were squashed due to lack of evidence.
During the same time, the team was allegedly involved in a matchfixing incident along with Project X members. ESIC launched an investigation on the grounds of matchfixing. After the investigation’s conclusion, they have now banned SENSEi, who was involved in the incident.
The other three players banned were part of Team Majesty. The players were involved in matchfixing activities during a Bulgarian LAN event in 2020.
ESIC has barred the four professionals from participating in any member events until 24th October, 2025. They also have to comply with all the relevant provisions of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code.
While the community appreciates ESIC for taking necessary steps and investigating the culprits who breached the esports integrity, there was a larger issue. A major point of criticism for the statement was the missing names of the rest of the Akuma squad. In the court of public opinion, the rest of players involved are equally as guilty.
Featured Image Credits: ESIC logo (credits: ESIC)
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