On June 19, 2025, The Worldwide Esports Federation launched an announcement revealing that considered one of Tekken’s most prolific gamers, Arslan Ash, had been sanctioned for steroid use.
Whereas the information was initially printed with out a lot fanfare, the larger combating recreation neighborhood started to take discover in early July, with many confused by the timing of the announcement.
THE IESF claimed that Arslan had allegedly violated anti-doping guidelines through the 2022 World Esports Championship, testing constructive for anabolic steroids on December 10 of that yr.
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The substances in query had been 19-norandrosterone, 19-noretiocholanolone, stanozolol metabolites, and metandienone metabolites, that are banned by the World Anti-Doping Affiliation (WADA).
In consequence, the IESF says Arslan acquired a two-year ban from April 26, 2023 to April 25, 2025. All his outcomes from the 2022 World Esports Championship, together with his awards, medals, factors, prize cash and titles had been stripped, together with these from any occasions between December 10, 2022 – April 26, 2023.
Which means Arslan’s achievements at Evo Japan 2023, Evo Las Vegas 2023 & 2024, in addition to the 2023 Tekken World Tour Finals in New Orleans had been basically moot.
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The combating recreation neighborhood was puzzled by steroids being banned within the IESF, as all these substances aren’t extensively recognized to reinforce gaming efficiency compared to medicine like Adderall, as an illustration.
Arslan Ash sanctions questioned by Esports Integrity Fee
The IESF’s ruling shortly went viral, prompting the Esports Integrity Fee to share an announcement of its personal to the Esports Advocate on Wednesday, July 2.
Of their message, the EIC solid doubt on the IESF’s sanctions, clearly stating that it isn’t obligated to “help, acknowledge, or implement” the ruling. Moreover, the ESIC famous that substances banned below WADA don’t apply to esports, because it differs from conventional sports activities so drastically.
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“With no scientifically grounded and purpose-built strategy to anti-doping in esports, critical penalties to aggressive integrity are inevitable — as demonstrated by this incident. ESIC stays firmly dedicated to a good, evidence-based anti-doping framework and can proceed to encourage all members to depend on ESIC’s established and confirmed strategy,” they wrote.
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X: ArslanAsh95Arslan Ash is named one of many best Tekken gamers of all time.
Arslan has since responded to the EISC’s ruling in an announcement to ProPakistani, the place he admitted that he wasn’t conscious steroids had been banned in esports.
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“I wasn’t conscious these medication had been banned in esports,” he stated. “I used to be by no means utilizing them for any form of benefit in gaming. As soon as I discovered about their dangers and the anti-doping guidelines, I ended utilizing them fully.”
Arslan Ash is likely one of the best professional gamers in Tekken historical past, famously placing Pakistan on the aggressive map along with his wins at each Evo Japan and Evo Final Vegas in 2019. Since then, he has gone on to take 5 whole Evo championships and even received the Tekken World Tour in 2023.
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