ESIC suspends two Dota 2 players; PTime removed

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has provisionally suspended Dota 2 players Juan “Vintage” Angulo and Oswaldo “DarkMago” Herrera from Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 competition while it investigates suspected rule breaches. Philippines-based organisation PTime was removed from the tournament bracket after the team lost two rostered players to the measures.

ESIC is investigating possible violations of its Anti-Corruption Code and Player Code of Conduct. Those rulebooks cover match-fixing, betting-related misconduct and other actions that could affect fair competition. The integrity body has not identified the specific provisions it believes were breached.

The suspensions are temporary and do not represent a finding of guilt. ESIC says the measures aim to protect the integrity of the event, preserve evidence and allow investigators to conduct interviews and review documents. Both players have been formally notified, interviewed and given the opportunity to respond and submit evidence in their defence. The restrictions remain in place unless varied or lifted in writing.

Under the provisional bans, Vintage and DarkMago are barred from participating in EWC 2026 and from competing at events organised by ESIC member bodies. Vintage faces an additional restriction that prevents him from coaching, managing or providing strategic or team-support roles for other players or teams while the inquiry is open.

Losing two roster members left PTime unable to meet eligibility requirements for the Dota 2 event. The Esports Foundation, which organises EWC 2026, removed the team and will publish updated match schedules and bracket information through official EWC channels. The Dota 2 tournament will continue without PTime while ESIC’s process proceeds.

ESIC has used provisional suspensions in other recent investigations. Earlier this year it imposed interim measures on the South American Dota 2 roster Team Clown Crew/BarrancoBar amid allegations of suspicious match activity, and it provisionally suspended Counter-Strike 2 side Team NOMERCY and five players as part of a separate inquiry into suspected match-fixing. Those matters remain under investigation.

Neither ESIC nor the Esports Foundation provided a timeline for the conclusion of the inquiry into Vintage and DarkMago. Organisers and the integrity commission indicated they will provide further updates as the investigation progresses and as any decisions on suspensions or team eligibility are made.