ESIC (Esports Integrity Commission) released an official statement regarding match-fixing allegations against CS:GO player, Joel “joel” Holmlund. The teenager, once seen as a rising star in the CS:GO scene, is now under scrutiny for allegedly succumbing to the lure of match-fixing.

Credit: Radosław Makuch | @theMAKKU

According to the ESIC, Joel Holmlund has been found in violation of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code during his tenure with GODSENT in 2023. The specific breaches include:

Betting on matches he participated in between 27th and 28th March 2023.
Placing two bets against his own team on 31st March 2023.
Making a total of 17 bets on various CS:GO matches from 29th March to 1st May 2023.

As a result of these allegations, Joel has been provisionally suspended from participating in any ESIC-sanctioned esports events. This suspension also extends to Valve-sanctioned events, making him ineligible for CS:GO or CS2 Majors and other high-tier tournaments.

Joel aims defend himself and claims injustice

Joel took to Twitter to share his side of the story:

The 30th of August I recieved a notice of charge from ESIC, I instantly jumped on a call with Ian Smith, head of ESIC. They then decided no further actions would be taken at that point of time. After my qualifcation to BLAST and several tweets from different individuals I believe ESIC felt forced to act, and yesterday, the 19th of September, I received yet another, still the same notice of charge.

Today they decided to make a public statement, that is extremely injustice. They are accusing me of several stuff I didn’t do, and that’s fairly obvious, still, if I come out publicly with them I am breaking the confidentialty. I am still willing to cooperate With ESIC and will give my final answer around the 6 October together with my lawyer.

GODSENT, Joel’s former team, also weighed in on the matter. They disclosed that their decision to bench and later part ways with Joel was directly influenced by the ongoing ESIC investigation.

Despite his young age and promising career, Joel’s recent actions have cast a shadow over his reputation. While the final outcome of the ESIC investigation is yet to be announced, the esports community awaits with bated breath..

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