ESIC issues lifetime ban to Counter-Strike player Joel

Swedish Counter-Strike player Joel ‘joel’ Holmlund has received a lifetime ban from the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC).

The ban was a result of an investigation into several breaches of the Commission’s code of conduct and anti-corruption code.

Investigations began in August 2024 when Joel was competing during Season 2 of the CCT European Series. The player was caught in possession of Asdfware EFI bootkit, a hardware cheat containing an aimbot and triggerbot.

Joel admitted to the wrongdoing in a written response to ESIC, resulting in an initial delay to the punishment. According to the ESIC, during the grace period, the former GODSENT player attempted to blackmail the Commission to avoid the matter being made public, an act ESIC deems ‘an egregious breach’ of its integrity programme.

The misconduct marked the third time Joel had breached the programme within a two-year period. In total, the player breached the anti-corruption code once and the code of conduct 11 times.

Breaches of the code include:

• Fixing or improperly influencing the outcome of matches.
• Cheating or attempting to cheat.
• Match manipulation.
• Intimidating ESIC officials.
• Failing to share corrupt conduct with ESIC officials.

As a result, Joel is no longer eligible to compete in events that are affiliated with ESIC. The commission has recommended that non-members and game publishers honour the ban to ensure it’s enforced across Counter-Strike esports.

2025 has already seen ESIC implement bans in Counter-Strike esports. In March, ATOX was disqualified and banned from PGL events while the Commission investigated suspected match-fixing during the team’s participation in Season 20 of the ESL Pro League.

“ESIC remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the fairness and integrity of the esports industry,” reads a statement. “Cheating, corruption, and threats directed at integrity bodies will not be tolerated. We will continue to investigate and sanction any behaviour that undermines the values of competitive integrity.”