ESIC bans five noMercy players following Roman Imperium Cup match-manipulation investigation
ESIC bans five noMercy players following Roman Imperium Cup match-manipulation investigation
The Esports Integrity Commission has sanctioned five noMercy players following an investigation into match manipulation at Roman Imperium Cup VII.
The penalties range from three-year suspensions to lifetime bans, with former mousesports and ALTERNATE aTTaX player kzy among those receiving a permanent prohibition.
Investigation examines four matches
The investigation concerned noMercy 's participation in four best-of-one group-stage matches during the tournament, held in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, in March 2026.
The team lost all four matches by heavy margins:
ESIC said its investigation identified breaches based on multiple forms of evidence rather than relying solely on the final scores.
Sanctions imposed
Five players received disciplinary penalties, with the severity varying according to the commission's findings concerning their involvement.
The most serious sanction was a lifetime ban, while other penalties included suspensions lasting multiple years.
The ruling represents another significant integrity-enforcement action within the Counter-Strike competitive ecosystem.
ESIC's findings emphasize the consequences of deliberate match manipulation, particularly at events that contribute to professional rankings and qualification pathways.
