ESIC And Riot Investigate VALORANT Pros Caught Up In CSGO Match-Fixing Scandal
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has admitted that as part of their ongoing investigations into match-fixing within Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) they will be conferring with Riot Games to continue their inquiries into players that have made the switch to VALORANT.
Recently, ESIC banned two CS:GO players for a match-fixing scandal, after audio evidence was enough to enforce a five-year suspension from competing for both individuals. Both Sebastian "retchy" Tropiano and Kevin "4pack" Przypasniak were sanctioned in August, with their bans spanning to 2026.
However, ESIC's investigations are far from over, according to Commissioner Ian Smith.
Speaking on a HLTV talk show, ESIC is still investigating 35 players from North American CS:GO, many of whom have made the switch over to VALORANT.
Smith said, "We are looking at 35 players across six or seven teams. We're getting there, make no mistake. There's amazing material at our disposal here, but it's going to take time.
"It's seriously problematic, and bear in mind that a lot of these players, knowing that they are in the s**t in CS, have moved to VALORANT of disappeared from the scene. We're not just working with CS here. We are getting wonderful cooperation with Riot and VALORANT."
The investigations stem from allegations that match-fixing was present during the ESEA organised Mountain Dew League (MDL), which was played in NA.
With the investigations already banning two players involved for lengthy tenures, and another (Carson "nosraC" O'Reilly) for 111 days for the same instance, it appears ESIC have chewed on the carrot dangled in front of their eyes.
In a bid to make a fresh start on VALORANT, the inquiry could also see Riot enforce bans on their organised tournaments for any players involved in the scandal, now that they are working alongside ESIC.
Previously, Riot launched their own investigations into match-fixing, in which the accused Ardis "ardiis" Svarenieks was cleared of any wrongdoing. Another probe into match-fixing saw Riot ban two Singaporean VALORANT players from competing, with a 36-month ban enforced, for purposely throwing a game.