ESIC issues provisional bans to PTime Dota 2 pair Vintage and DarkMago during integrity probe

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has imposed interim suspensions on two members of the PTime Dota 2 roster, Juan “Vintage” Angulo and Oswaldo “DarkMago” Herrera, as part of a live investigation connected to the Esports World Cup 2026 (EWC26). The provisional measures take effect immediately and bar both players from taking part in any capacity – directly or indirectly – in EWC26 and all ESIC Member events until the investigation concludes.

For Vintage, the suspension also extends to any coaching, management, strategic, or team-facing roles linked to competing players or teams. ESIC stated the action follows a preliminary assessment of information pointing to possible breaches of its Anti-Corruption Code and Player Code of Conduct.

The commission stressed the interim steps are purely protective and precautionary, aimed at preserving competition integrity, securing relevant evidence, and ensuring the investigation can proceed fairly. No final determination of wrongdoing has been reached.

Both athletes have been informed of the basis and implications of the suspensions, have been interviewed by ESIC, and were given the chance to respond and supply relevant evidence. The bans remain in place unless ESIC modifies or lifts them in writing. Any tournament or competition decisions arising from the probe and affecting EWC26 will be announced separately by the Esports Foundation.

ESIC indicated it will offer no further public comment on the matter unless the investigation makes material progress or additional enforcement steps are taken, in order to protect the integrity of the process and the rights of all parties involved.