The UK-based Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has today taken disciplinary action against Russian Counter-Strike player Erkhan ‘gokushima’ Bagynanov.
In a press release issued today, ESIC said it had concluded an investigation into ‘alleged violations of the ESIC Code of Conduct and Anti-Corruption Code’ by the player, specifically around match fixing and betting on matches.
Gokushima had most recently been playing for Forze Esports, before being benched by the org earlier this month.
“Evidence obtained during the investigation demonstrates that Mr. Bagynanov engaged in conduct violating the ESIC Code of Conduct and Anti-Corruption Code,” ESIC said.
“This investigation was initiated following the receipt of a detailed interview transcript and corroborating evidence and admissions indicating match-fixing activities.”
ESIC has sanctioned gokushima for two years, from March 27th 2024 to March 26th 2026.
The player is prohibited from participating in any ESIC member events during this period. And ESIC said that ‘compliance with all relevant provisions of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code is required throughout the duration of this Rejection Order’.
Esports News UK has reached out to the player and Forze Esports for comment.
What parts of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code did Gokushima breach?
2.1 Corruption:
2.1.1 Fixing or contriving in any way or otherwise influencing improperly, or being a party to any effort to fix or contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly, the result, progress, conduct, or any other aspect of any Match.
2.2 Betting:
2.2.1 Betting on any match, including matches that you were a professional participant in during the ESL IEM events as detailed in the infringements above.
2.2.2 Facilitating, aiding, abetting or otherwise assisting any party in committing acts described in 2.2.1.
2.4.2 to 2.4.5 Failing to disclose to the ESIC a full and true disclosure of all the facts and circumstances with respect to acts described in 2.1 and 2.2.
Further offences under the ESIC Code of Conduct articles as follows:
2.1.5 Where the facts of the alleged incident are not adequately or clearly covered by any of the above offences, conduct that brings Esport, the Game, Event, ESIC or a Member into disrepute.
2.2.8 Match manipulation for inappropriate reasons.
Earlier this year, the Esports Integrity Commission announced a partnership with a United Nations agency.
Last year, ESIC suspended a Team 7AM player before the org Team 7AM shut down.
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.
