Potential Matchfixing Scandal Reported by FURIA player
A potential matchfixing scandal has surfaced within the South American scene, shaking the community to its core. The controversy came to light after Kayke "kye" Bertolucci, a former starting player for Furia, accused Shark Esports' Academy player Pedro "pepe" Almeida of having friends throwing their FACEIT games so Pepe could fight for the top spot prize of $5000 USD (R$25.000).
All videos in the original thread below:
Several prominent figures in the Counter-Strike community engaging in the discussion to voice their concerns and suspicions. The conversation has been lively, with reactions ranging from disbelief to outright condemnation.
Community Reactions
1- Andrei "arT" Piovezan:
"This Pepe is an admitted ghoster, so he has no shame. Now, this needs to be looked at properly because it's more serious; matchfixing is no joke. @swedcs should check if the win rate against his friends is significantly different."
2- Lucas Teles (Lucas1):
"Look into the games where he plays against his best friends and how many he won against them and analyze... but the videos are indeed suspicious! @FACEITBrasil @swedcs @FACEITcs."
3- Friend of the accused:
"Stop crying. I am a friend of Pepe, he has been top 1 for a long time. He tells me on WhatsApp that he is playing until 5, 6 in the morning, doesn't go out on weekends to stay top 1. I am always with his girlfriend here at home, she can confirm it. And because of one suspicious game, you are taking him down???"
[UPDATED] Have the parts said anything? Pepe went to Social Media to answer the accusations:
"To be clear: I have already played more than 500 games this season, with and against acquaintances (including the same ones mentioned).
Those who accused me also have their haters.I never asked anyone to troll pug, but I have no control over other people, especially when we don't know if those people like whoever is on their team.
The moment is now different. I'm trying to live the dream of being a professional player and focusing day and night on it. I know that some things will generate suspicion, but all I can do is play and prove otherwise."
Matchfixing: An ongoing issue in Esports
Matchfixing is not a new issue in the esports world. The South American Faceit scene is only the latest in a series of incidents that have plagued competitive gaming. One notable example is the infamous iBUYPOWER scandal in North American CS:GO, where several players were banned for life after being found guilty of throwing matches for profit in 2014.
In Dota 2, the South East Asian scene has also witnessed its share of matchfixing controversies. In 2021, multiple players were banned for manipulating match outcomes, highlighting the persistent threat of unethical behavior in esports.
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The proliferation of betting platforms and the significant monetary stakes involved have made matchfixing an alluring temptation for some players. However, it is crucial for the integrity of the sport that such practices stop happening.
Faceit will face the pressure of both professional scene and community to properly answer Kye's accusations (credits: Faceit)The Way Forward
The allegations brought forward by Kye and supported by the community's responses underline the need for stringent measures to prevent matchfixing. Transparency, stricter regulations, and robust monitoring systems are essential to maintain fair play and uphold the integrity of competitive esports.
Faceit and other governing bodies must take immediate and decisive action to investigate these claims and ensure that those found guilty are held accountable. The esports community, including players, fans, and officials, must unite to combat this issue and protect the future of competitive gaming.