Esports federations from multiple countries say they ‘vehemently’ condemn the recent decision from the International Esports Federation (IESF) to lift sanctions and restrictions against the Russian Esports Federation.
In a joint press release sent to Esports News UK today, several federations including Esports Wales said they oppose the IESF’s decision, made at its recent Ordinary General Meeting (OGM).
“This controversial action disregards the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, by the Russian state and with its Esport Federation, as an active participant,” the press release stated.
During the OGM, the Swedish president stated: “The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian state is happening, in the home of esports players, that has not changed. Instead we recently learned that the Russian esport federation actively participate in the invasion by opening esports branches within the occupied areas of Ukraine, forcing the Ukrainian esports federation to withdraw from their own territory.”
The decision, which passed with 32 votes in favour, 13 against and 25 abstaining, means that Russian esports athletes can now openly represent their country, display their flag and have their national anthem played at the IESF World Championship tournament and other IESF-sanctioned events.
The press release continued:
“This decision is not only irresponsible but also deeply disrespectful to Ukraine and to the international community that values justice and ethical conduct.”
Joint press release from various esports federations
“In this joint press release, we announce our collective intention to explore avenues for overturning this abhorrent decision. At the very least, we demand that the IESF adhere to the recommendations, set forth by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee.
“We collectively strive to foster international esports in alignment with shared values of respect, fairness and global unity. This decision, which is inconsistent with these core principles, forces us to reassess our engagement and participation within the IESF. We will not stand idle as a decision that supports division and disrespect tarnishes the esports community. We will always vote for peace, not for networking or power purposes.
“For our part, we will take serious and deliberate action to rectify this situation and uphold the values that we cherish. We call upon all member federations and esports enthusiasts to voice their opposition to this reprehensible decision and to stand in solidarity with Ukraine.”
The news comes days after the IESF’s 2023 World Esports Championship got underway in Romania, with Wales just one of the countries competing.
Which esports federations have opposed the IESF’s decision?
The following esports federations against the IESF’s decision were listed in the press release:
- Armenian Esports Federation
- Belgian Esports Federation
- Canada Esports Federation
- Dutch Esports Federation
- Esports Wales
- Finnish Esports Federation
- French federation of Video games
- Icelandic Esports Association
- Lithuanian Electronic Sports Association
- Luxemburg Esports Federation
- Malta Esports Association
- Norwegian Esports Federation
- Swedish Esports Federation
- Ukrainian Esports Federation
UK readers may be wondering what Esports Scotland, the British Esports Federation and Ireland Esports’ views are on the matter, however from what we understand they are not a part of the IESF. British Esports is a member of a different international body – the Global Esports Federation.
Update from the IESF: ‘We strongly condemn all war, hate, political interventions and discrimination’
The IESF whuch bills itself as ‘the uniting body for world esports’, sent us a press release following the publication of this article, titled ‘facts regarding OGM 2023 decision and Russian/Ukrainian participation’. We’ve published it below.
“The International Esports Federation, which unites 140 National Federations, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Iasi, Romania, on August 28th during the 15th World Esports Championship Finals.
“110 National Federations actively participated in the AGM, discussing the agenda that consisted of 44 motions that were voted on. One motion submitted by the Russian Esports Federation was to enable the future participation of athletes from Russia in 2024 to play under their national flag and anthem.
“No Russian team was present this year at the World Championship, and no Russian delegate was present at the AGM.
“After voicing their opinions, all 70 Members in attendance held a democratic vote, which resulted in Votes Against, 32 in Favor and 25 Abstentions.
“The Ukrainian Esports Federation representatives did not accept the vote result and declined to meet with IESF leadership to discuss options to assist them in this difficult situation. The decision will go into effect for next year’s World Esports Championship, scheduled for late 2024.
“The IESF team and the Athletes Committee were in place to assist and support all Ukrainian players, as athletes are at the core of what IESF is about. The Ukrainian teams were doing well in the tournament. In CSGO, they were qualified for the Semi-Final Match.
“With athletes’ interests at its core, the IESF Athletes Committee did all it could to mitigate the unfortunate situation of Ukrainian players and the Ukrainian Esports Federation, who informed IESF they would withdraw their teams from this year’s competition.
“IESF strongly condemns all war, hate, political interventions and discrimination. Sport provides us with a unique platform for peacebuilding and future conflict prevention. We expect all members of the World Esports Family to use this platform for positive change and to embody IESF’s values of respect, unity and friendship.
“IESF will continue to strive for peace and unity while firmly standing by all democratic processes made within the organisation and, above all, supporting and protecting the athletes.”
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
