ESIC finds proof of Akuma match fixing at EPIC CIS League 2021

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has released an official statement that it has found strong evidence of contractual matches with the participation of the Akuma team at the EPIC CIS League 2021. In particular, ESIC found a relationship with the rates from Alexander Shishko, the former CEO of Project X. As stated in the announcement, the manager has an active game account from which he made "bets on highly suspicious matches involving Project X"

It is noted that Shishko made bets while most of Akuma's current roster played within the Project X organization, which disbanded and ceased operations in March.

ESIC adds that Shishko also made an accurate pre-match bet on the outcome of the Virtus pro-Akuma match in the EPIC League CIS. The Esports Integrity Commission forwarded the evidence obtained to Valve and advised the organizers not to invite the Akuma team, or any team associated with Alexander Shishko, until the investigation is complete.

This evidence was obtained through SBAN and ESIC determined that there was "reasonable grounds to believe that potential match-fixing and/or betting fraud occurred." Since the tournaments in which these actions took place are not ESIC members, ESIC has referred the matter to Valve for review.

While another Akuma investigation adds further fuel to public outrage against the Ukrainian team, ESIC's findings do not support suspicions that the team may have used outside help during matches at the EPIC CIS League 2021.