Several profiled CIS players accused of matchfixing by ex-ESIC employee
The former employee of ESIC accuses several prominent names of matchfixing.
Alexei Yarabeu, a former employee of the Esports Integrity Commision has set a spotlight on an alleged deep-rooted system of match-fixing within the lower levels of CS:GO competition in the CIS region, but also at the highest level in Asia. In a podcast with commentator Konstantin “LENINIW” Sivko, Yarabeu accused several profiled CIS players of match-fixing and partaking in “ghost tournaments”. Some of the names are Vladimir “Woro2k” Veletnyuk, Dmitry “Dima” Bandurka, Ramazan “Ramz1k” Bashizov, Christian “REDSTAR” Pironkov, Vladislav “FinigaN” Usov, and Igor “w0nderful” Zhdanov. These are some of the names Yarabeu accuses of playing in fixed CS:GO matches or being a part of lineups that are known for regularly fixing.
Abdul “degster” Hasanov who plays under the OG banner as an AWPer was also mentioned by Yarabeu, but the former ESIC employee doesn’t directly point to him being actively involved in fixing games. Some of the players that are being named in the podcast, such as Dima and degster, have since denied the allegations of them being a part of a fixing setup in the past.
“I watched the LININIW podcast and, of course, laughed out loud at this invited ‘former ESIC employee’. I have never done a 322(matchfixing) in my life. No radar, no goths, no left-handed info, and no contracting. Zero wrongdoing on my part. My conscience and reputation are completely clear. I have always played, and continue to play fairly, giving my best.” – Dima wrote in a statement.
The rosters that are being talked about would allegedly have been playing under Project X, Trasko Esports, Marlian eSports, Trident, and Espada banners.
Yarabeu also mentioned a match-fixing network during the podcast, allegedly within the Chechnyan CS:GO Community. According to Yarabeu, they would give young and talented players an opportunity to train and develop their skills in Russia, but eventually, demand them to throw matches on a regular basis.
“It was a group of people from Chechnya. They would take players who had qualified, bring them to a Russian region where they had some jocks, and put the esports players on a bootcamp. Then some “respectable” people would come to their backs saying – you’re not winning this match. And the team would lose.” – Alexei Yarabeu.
Until now, Yarabeu hasn’t provided any concrete evidence of match-fixing, but stated in a blog.post that ESIC was either unwilling or unable to take action against the matchfixing.
