The ESIC Sports Integrity Commission issued disciplinary reprimands to Nikolaj “niko” Kristensen for his partnership with HUNDEN. After a month-long investigation, OG player niko received only minor penalties. The reason for that was his illness.
Nico, who has Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Asperger’s Syndrome, suffers from severe attention deficit. In addition, these two medical conditions prevent the professional player from distinguishing between right and wrong. Because of this, Niko became heavily dependent on the people he trusted.
The players cadiaN, TeSeS, b0RUP and stavn named in the investigation absolved from guilt due to lack of evidence.
Nico is guilty too!
Niko, whose audio recording with Coach HUNDEN came out, admitted his guilt. He agreed to a plea bargaining arrangement with ESIC that would allow him to:
- A severe public reprimand for his behaviour
- A warning as to future conduct with severe consequences for any future breach of the ESIC Integrity Program
- Mandatory attendance at two one on one education sessions with the ESIC Commissioner of minimum 30 mins duration each
- A minimum 15-minute check in with the Commissioner every month for a minimum of six months to ensure he has understood and is complying with the ESIC Integrity Program and to offer him support for any issues he might be having in this respect
If he does not comply with the conditions above, he will be banned for at least 30 days.
According to ESIC, HUNDEN convinced nico by saying that the use of the bug was not a big deal but just for humor.
I expected a flood of ‘evidence’ of other teams’ players being complicit in their coaches cheating with the coach bug, but this has not happened.
That the players did not need to know, but I also accept that there were players that, like niko, did know and should have come forward, but didn’t.
I hope this changes in future as people know that ESIC will investigate fairly and sympathetically in the best interests of esports.
ESIC Commissioner Ian Smith
