Doping & Cheating
Pro Player Aceez Faces Year-Long Ban Amid Cheating Probe
In a significant development that has sent ripples through the esports community, Maurice “Aceez” Erkelenz, a professional player known for his prowess in the tactical shooter game Rainbow Six: Siege, has been handed a year-long suspension. This decision comes in the wake of actions that reportedly obstructed a BLAST investigation into allegations of cheating.
Aceez, who played for the esports organization Wylde, will be ineligible to participate in any competitive play through the end of the 2024 season, which culminates with the Six Invitational in February 2025. Notably, the ban imposed on Aceez is not for cheating per se, but for his conduct during the investigation process, which has been deemed as impeding.
The esports community, particularly within the Rainbow Six: Siege sphere, has been vocal about the situation. Despite the ban being for obstruction, there is a prevailing sentiment among many of the game’s competitive stalwarts that Aceez may be culpable of the cheating allegations as well.
In a decisive move, Wylde has removed Aceez from their roster, and in a perhaps telling response, Aceez has deleted his X account, further fueling speculation about the situation.
This is not the first instance of Aceez attracting controversy. Back in 2020, while with Rogue, he faced a three-game suspension for sharing insider information, a breach that borders on match-fixing. Although there was no conclusive evidence of match-fixing, Ubisoft’s report at the time highlighted a concerning lack of professionalism and seriousness in Aceez’s response to direct message inquiries about game outcomes.
The gravity of the current allegations against Aceez surpasses previous incidents. The European esports scene is abuzz with skepticism about his integrity, and the investigation has only intensified these doubts. The implications of such a ban extend beyond the period of suspension; the real challenge for Aceez will be in restoring his reputation. The prospect of returning to professional play after such allegations is daunting, as teams are typically wary of associating with players who have a history of rule violations or questionable conduct.
Aceez’s future in professional Rainbow Six: Siege is uncertain at best. The pattern of immature behavior and rule-breaking is a significant deterrent for any serious esports team considering his recruitment. In the competitive realm of esports, where professionalism is as crucial as skill, Aceez’s situation serves as a stark reminder: no level of in-game accuracy can compensate for a lack of seriousness and adherence to the rules off the game.
As the community and stakeholders in the esports industry reflect on this development, the overarching narrative is clear—integrity and professionalism are non-negotiable, and their absence can have career-altering consequences.
