Official: ESIC unbanned HUNDEN

ESIC has officially removed all bans and restrictions from the HUNDEN trainer. Recall that the 31-year-old Danish specialist was suspended from the competition until August 2023 for handing over a folder with strategies to the opposing team.

The day before, a meeting was held in the spirit of cooperation. Despite the parties disagreeing on some issues, both parties recognized the importance of fairness to the thriving esports industry. Following discussions between the parties, HUNDEN has agreed to provide appropriate training and ESIC has confirmed that it will review its policies and procedures to ensure that they are in line with industry best practice and fit for purpose. In light of the constructive engagement between the parties, HUNDEN will immediately return to participating in ESIC member events. This statement supersedes all previous public statements made by the parties on this matter and the parties will no longer comment on this matter.

It is reported that the parties agreed to cooperate, while the ESIC will review its policies and procedures used in making similar decisions. In turn, HUNDEN released a brief statement on Twitter thanking his lawyers for "helping me get through a difficult period", suggesting he challenged his ban through legal counsel.

We recall the chronology of events that happened to the Danish specialist last year:

1. Before IEM Cologne 2021, the Heroic team made a joint decision to go to the tournament without HUNDEN due to serious trust issues
2. After that, the specialist blocked access for team members to the folder with strategies
3. The coach shared confidential information with one of the key employees of a major competitor (as it turned out later, with Astralis)
4. The organization considered this action illegal and in violation of contractual obligations.
5. In Denmark, a trial has begun in this case.
6. This issue has been reported to ESL and ESIC
7. Heroic organization terminated the contract with HUNDEN unilaterally
8. 31-year-old Danish specialist will receive a two-year ban from ESIC for passing a folder with strategies to a competitor

Interestingly, the latest scandal was another serious blow to the coach's reputation, which was already undermined after he received an eight-month ban from ESIC at the end of 2020 for using the infamous "camera bug".

It is likely that the latest ESIC decision will push Astralis towards its next appointment. It is known that the Danish club secretly cooperated with HUNDEN, who helped the first team in the status of an analyst/second coach. However, the parties did not officially disclose their ties. On the other hand, given the constant reshuffling of the coaching bridge, Astralis is clearly ready to sign HUNDEN as the main option for the roster under construction.