ESIC bans 4 Counter-Strike players for match-fixing

ESIC bans 4 Counter-Strike players for match-fixing

Ganesh Jadhav

29 Oct, 2023, 16:47

|

Last updated: 10 Apr, 2025, 19:45

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)

Read More: 

Kassad unveils BLEED's CS2 odyssey: A quest for excellence.

NRG Esports Makes a Return to Counter-Strike After Four Years.

Latest news

New CS2 Update Changes Reload Mechanics Entirely

New CS2 Update Changes Reload Mechanics Entirely

Valve changed CS2 reloading: partial magazines now drop entirely on swap, forcing ammo trades. Expect burst control over spam, with new Competitive map guides (first 5 rounds) and direct Workshop friend joins also live.
1h
André Guaraldo

BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026: Teams, Format, Schedule, Prizes and more!

The 2026 BLAST Open Spring Rotterdam event of the year is almost here, and it does not disappoint. The tournament brings together 16 of the world's best CS2 teams competing for the trophy and for the biggest piece of the $1,100,000 prize pool
16 Mar
Thales Costa

USA Esports is announced and mark a new era for US esports

USA Esports launched on March 16, 2026, as a nonprofit national body that coordinates US representation in international esports. The organization fields teams in Valorant, Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and 10 other titles for events such as the Olympic Esports Games and Esports Nations Cup. A board of nine directors from professional play, collegiate programs, and traditional athletics governs its work toward federal NGB recognition.
16 Mar
André Guaraldo

makazze and w0nderful steal the show as NAVI lifts the EPL S23 trophy

NAVI is officially back on top! In a spectacular showdown at the Annexet in Stockholm this Sunday, March 15, the squad took down Aurora 3-1 to lift the prestigious ESL Pro League Season 23 trophy.
16 Mar
Thales Costa

NAVI Faces Aurora in ESL Pro League S23 Grand Finals

Natus Vincere is all set to take on Aurora Gaming in the Grand Final showdown at the ESL Pro League Season 23. The finale at the Annexet in Stockholm will see the two European teams battle in a best-of-five series.
15 Mar
Adarsh J. Kumar

Brazil's Felca Law Blocks Kids from Multiple Games: What Gamers Need to Know

Brazil's Felca Law takes effect on 17 March 2026 and bans paid loot boxes in games that minors play. It forces Riot Games to set League of Legends and other titles to 18+ in the country, blocking underage accounts until 2027. Free Fire faces redesign of Royales, and Roblox limits chat for kids. Publishers must use CPF checks or biometrics, with fines up to 10% of revenue for violations.
14 Mar
André Guaraldo

Two Giants, Same Story: MOUZ and Team Spirit Keep Falling When It Matters Most

Today, March 13th, MOUZ and Team Spirit have been eliminated from the ESL Pro League Season 23 by FUT and Astralis, respectively. The elimination stings even more when you realize this is starting to feel like a pattern.
13 Mar
Thales Costa

Comments (0)

Log in to comment on this match