Doping & Cheating
Controversy Surrounds Tundra Esports and BetBoom Team Post-DreamLeague Season 21
The conclusion of DreamLeague Season 21 has left the esports community in turmoil. Two prominent teams, Tundra Esports and BetBoom Team, are once again at the center of a storm of criticism and allegations.
The Allegations
The controversy stems from accusations that players from both Tundra Esports and BetBoom Team accessed external information during their official matches. With the International 2023 looming, such allegations have heightened concerns within the community.
Core of the Controversy
During the matches in question, players from both teams were allegedly caught switching between applications to access external sources. Specifically:
- BetBoom Team’s Danil “gpk” Skutin is suspected of viewing a live tournament stream, an act that could potentially provide an unfair advantage.
- Tundra Esports’ Neta “33” Shapira was spotted on Dotabuff, a platform renowned for its comprehensive Dota 2 data.
However, the exact duration of their interactions with these sources remains ambiguous. Webcam footage only offers fleeting glimpses, making it challenging to determine the extent of the potential advantage.
Past Controversies
This is not the first time BetBoom Team has faced such allegations. During the Bali Major, Ivan “Pure” Moskalenko of BetBoom Team was caught switching between screens and viewing a live stream during a game pause. This breach resulted in a technical loss for the team and Moskalenko’s subsequent disqualification. The tournament administrators’ handling of the incident drew criticism for perceived inconsistencies.
Tundra Esports also had its share of controversies during the Bali Major. Neta “33” Shapira was caught opening Spotify during a game. While this action didn’t offer any competitive edge, it was a clear violation of the rules, leading to a 30-second draft penalty for Tundra Esports in their next match.
Potential Repercussions
Both teams now face the possibility of various penalties, ranging from draft-related sanctions to potential bans from upcoming ESL events. While accessing a live stream or Dotabuff might not provide immediate advantages, the importance of adhering to tournament regulations cannot be stressed enough.
Conclusion
In the competitive world of esports, the integrity of the game is paramount. Players and teams must understand the significance of adhering to tournament rules. As the community reflects on these incidents, one can only hope for a future where players resist the temptation to alt-tab during official matches.
Image: Jasni/Shutterstock.com
