Published 2025-07-07 17:43
The International Esports Federation (IESF) has issued a comprehensive statement regarding the anti-doping violation that emerged from the World Esports Championship 2022, marking a significant moment in competitive gaming’s evolution toward traditional sports standards.
The case involved prominent player Arslan Ash, whose situation has been resolved through collaborative efforts between IESF, WADA, and the athlete himself. Rather than the typical four-year ban mandated by standard WADA protocols, Ash received a reduced two-year suspension that was backdated to when his provisional suspension began, reflecting the determination that no intentional wrongdoing occurred.
This development highlights the growing pains experienced as esports integrates formal anti-doping structures. As one of the few WADA-recognised esports organisations, IESF finds itself navigating uncharted territory, working to establish anti-doping frameworks that account for the distinct characteristics of competitive gaming.
The federation emphasised that these sanctions only impact competitions under its direct oversight, including national championships, regional tournaments, and the World Esports Championship itself. Despite ongoing discussions and varying opinions within the esports community, IESF maintains its commitment to upholding the standards expected of WADA signatory organisations.
Perhaps most significantly, IESF views this case as a catalyst for progress rather than simply a disciplinary matter. The organisation sees it as validation of esports’ journey toward mainstream sports recognition while highlighting the urgent need for specialised research and clearer protocols designed specifically for competitive gaming.
Moving forward, IESF pledges continued transparency and collaboration as it works to establish fair, evidence-based anti-doping policies that serve the growing esports ecosystem.
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About doping in esports
Doping in esports refers to the use of performance-enhancing substances or methods to gain an unfair competitive advantage in video gaming. Unlike traditional sports where doping typically involves steroids or other physical enhancers, esports doping focuses on cognitive enhancement.
The most common form is using stimulants like Adderall, Ritalin, or modafinil to improve focus, reaction time, and sustained attention during long gaming sessions. These drugs can help players maintain peak concentration for hours and potentially improve their hand-eye coordination and decision-making speed. Some players also use caffeine in extreme doses or other nootropics (cognitive enhancers).
The prevalence is somewhat unclear since comprehensive testing isn’t standard across all esports organizations, but surveys and player admissions suggest it’s more common than many realize. Some professional players have openly discussed using unprescribed ADHD medications, and the high-pressure, high-stakes environment of competitive gaming creates incentives for players to seek any edge possible.
Major esports organizations like the Electronic Sports League (ESL) have implemented anti-doping policies and random drug testing, similar to traditional sports. However, enforcement varies widely across different games and tournament organizers. The challenge is that many of these substances are legal prescription medications, making it difficult to regulate without proper medical documentation.
The issue highlights the growing professionalization of esports and the need for consistent standards as prize pools and career stakes continue to increase. The knowledge of doping among teams can also be used as a type of match fixing for betting on esports, since it potentially increases the chances for wins.
Written by Jarhead
