ESIC ban Conner ‘ZonC’ Huglin for two years

The Esports Integrity Coalition has handed out a two year ban to Conner Huglin, better known by his player handle of ZonC, banning the player from ‘all’ esports from 10 May 2017 to 9 May 2019.

There’s no word on exactly what ‘all’ means in this case, however it’s probably a safe assumption that the ban will be for esports events held by all ESIC partners. Considering this includes ESL, who are one of the biggest names in esports, it carries quite a bit of weight.

Huglin was banned for using a cheat or exploit that wasn’t detected by Valve’s Anti-Cheat service during the Mettlestate Samsung Galaxy CS:GO Championship in May 2017. Huglin confessed to the charge, pleading guilty at the first oppertunity and withdrawing himself from competitive ESIC voluntarily as soon as ESIC approached him with a formal notice of his charge.

Huglin played with the team Armor Legion Gaming, and after his ban, has taken the chance to apologise to his team, Mettlestale and the general CS:GO community.

ESIC published a short statement on the ban, and have said they’ll make no further comment on the issue. We’ve published it in its entirety below:

“The esports Integrity Coalition (ESIC) has banned Conner Huglin (zonC), formerly of team Armor Legion Gaming, from all esports for 2 years from 10 May 2017 to 9 May 2019.

Conner admitted that he cheated using a cheat/exploit apparently undetectable by Valve Anti-Cheat during the Mettlestate Samsung Galaxy CS:GO Championship in May 2017. As a result of his confession, the Integrity Commissioner was able, under the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code and the Disciplinary Procedure, to offer Conner a plea bargain, which Conner accepted meaning a full hearing of the matter was not necessary.

Conner pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had already voluntarily withdrawn himself from competitive CS:GO when ESIC approached him with a formal Notice of Charge. He accepted the proposed sanction without question. He apologized to Mettlestate, his team and the CS:GO community.

Esports Integrity Commissioner Ian Smith said, “It is always disappointing when someone cheats and it gives me no pleasure to ban a player, but cheating cannot be tolerated in esports – it fundamentally undermines the integrity and credibility of our industry. I hope this demonstrates that ESIC will deal quickly, decisively and proportionately with cheats following a fair process.”

Mettlestate’s CEO, Barry Louzada added: ““Mettlestate are really glad to have a partner like ESIC on board to assist with these kinds of situations. It is never easy to have this kind of thing happen but when it does, knowing that there is guidance from ESIC ensures that it is dealt with properly.”

ESIC will make no further comment on this issue.”