ESIC Sanctions Six Participants and Issues $20,000 Penalty to Team SENZA Following Integrity Investigation
Introduction
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has concluded its investigation into participants and associated entities connected to Team SENZA / “-72C” / “ROSY” in relation to matches played in CCT Season 3 Europe in June 2025.
Following this investigation, ESIC has issued disciplinary outcomes against multiple participants and the associated organisation for breaches of the ESIC Integrity Program.
Findings of Cheating Misconduct
ESIC has determined on the merits that one participant, Kirsan “byek” Ivanov, engaged in account-sharing / identity-related cheating misconduct during official competition.
ESIC found that the account used under the identity “byek” was not consistently controlled by a single individual, with evidence including unexplained performance and connectivity irregularities indicative of possible mid-series account hand-offs. This indicates that another individual may have played using the account during matches, misrepresenting the identity of the competing player. This finding was corroborated by an express admission provided in writing by the team ownership.
This type of conduct breaches fundamental integrity rules requiring that the registered competitor is the actual participant competing, and is treated by ESIC as a serious violation**.**
Sanction – Kirsan “byek” Ivanov
ESIC has issued a Rejection Order against Kirsan “byek” Ivanov for a period of 2 years, effective from 7 April 2026 to 6 April 2028 (inclusive).
Non-Cooperation by Participants
In addition to the above findings, ESIC identified integrity concerns relating to matches played on 6 and 8 June 2025.To assess these matters, ESIC issued formal requests for information, including interrogatories and evidence preservation requirements, to relevant participants.
The majority of participants failed to respond to these requests or provide the required materials, other than limited information relating to the participant “byek.” As a result, ESIC was unable to obtain the player-level evidence necessary to fully assess and resolve the broader integrity concerns under investigation.
Failure to cooperate with an integrity investigation is a serious breach of the ESIC Integrity Program, as it directly undermines ESIC’s ability to investigate and address potential corruption in esports.
Sanctions – Non-Cooperation (Participants)
ESIC has issued Rejection Orders against the following participants for non-cooperation:
- Petr “timeagento” Markheev
- Spiridon “spira” Popov
- Vladislav “malenta” Lazarev
- Stepan “borosto” Antonov
- Aleksandr “1nhuman” Reshetnikov
Each participant is subject to a Rejection Order for 12 months, effective from: 7 April 2026 to 6 April 2027 (inclusive). ESIC notes that these sanctions are based on non-cooperation and do not constitute findings of match-fixing or cheating on the merits in respect of these individuals.
Additional Sanction – Petr “timeagento” Markheev (alias “Damiel”)
Separately, Petr “timeagento” Markheev was previously issued with a 5-year sanction following an effective admission of guilt in response to a prior Notice of Charge dated 23 April 2026, relating to conduct under the alias “Damiel.” ESIC has determined that this sanction applies to the same individual and operates cumulatively with the present sanction. The combined sanction period commenced on 20 March 2025 and will expire at 11:59 pm GMT on 19 March 2031.
Non-Cooperation by Team SENZA
ESIC also found that Team SENZA / “-72C” / “ROSY” failed to cooperate with the investigation. The organisation did not provide proper responses to formal interrogatories, failed to produce requested materials, and did not preserve or supply relevant evidence, including information relating to roster identity, devices, communications, and its own stated internal investigation – which it failed to produce at any time.
This conduct materially hindered ESIC’s investigation into integrity concerns.
Organisational Sanction – Team SENZA
ESIC has imposed a monetary penalty of USD $20,000 against Team SENZA.
The penalty must be discharged in full via a donation to a charity nominated by the team and approved by ESIC. The organisation will not be permitted to resume participation in ESIC Member Events until satisfactory proof of payment has been provided and accepted.
The original press release can be found here: https://esic.gg/sanction-outcome/esic-sanctions-six-participants-and-issues-20000-penalty-to-team-senza-following-integrity-investigation/
