ESIC Issues 4-Year Ban to Inner Circle’s nifee Over Match-Fixing Allegations

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has reportedly handed a four-year ban to professional CS2 player Dmitry “nifee” Tediashvili, who is currently listed as a substitute for Inner Circle. According to the commission, the sanction was imposed following findings related to match manipulation and betting-related corruption.

In its official statement, ESIC is said to have confirmed that the decision came after an extensive investigation into suspicious activities connected to matches played during ESL Pro League Season 22 in October 2025.

It is reported that the investigation was conducted in cooperation with Runestone, which helped identify irregular in-game patterns involving the player. These incidents allegedly did not align with expected professional-level gameplay and were said to coincide with abnormal betting market activity.

According to ESIC’s findings, particular concern was raised over multiple instances in which the player appeared to die from Molotov or incendiary grenades under questionable circumstances. These situations were reportedly linked with unusual spikes in betting volume on specific outcomes. The commission also noted that betting activity was associated with newly created, inactive, and high-profit “VIP” accounts, exceeding typical baseline expectations for such markets.

In parallel, gameplay analysis and expert review are said to have revealed repeated decision-making patterns inconsistent with normal competitive behavior. Observers reportedly pointed out situations where the player appeared to take unnecessary risks or expose himself to damage without engaging in meaningful competitive actions.

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During ESL Pro League Season 22, Inner Circle finished in 12th–14th place, earning $20,000 in prize money. It is also noted that nifee has been on the team’s bench since October 2025.