joel handed lifetime ban by ESIC

The Swedish former professional player was found to have used cheats and subsequently threatened to blackmail ESIC.

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has announced it has issued a lifetime ban to former Monte and GODSENT member Joel "⁠joel⁠" Holmlund over "multiple and serious breaches" of its code of conduct and anti-corruption code.

"ESIC has determined that Mr. Holmlund engaged in deliberate cheating and subsequent attempted intimidation of ESIC in connection with its enforcement processes," a statement issued by the esports watchdog read.

The 20-year-old has been away from the competitive scene since August 2024, when he was banned by the Akros anti-cheat upon joining the server for BC.Game's CCT Season 2 Europe Series 7 against B8.

Read more

joel banned by Akros anti-cheat, removed from BC.Game roster amid investigation*

BC.Game immediately removed the player from the roster while it conducted an investigation into the matter. Akros said there was "zero chance" the ban was a false positive, but joel maintained his innocence. "I know I have not cheated or planned to do so," he told HLTV at the time.

According to ESIC's investigation, joel was found to be in possession of a "premium hardware cheat" (Asdfware EFI bootkit) on his PC. The presence of this cheat, which "included aimbot, triggerbot, and ESP features," was detected by Akros' anti-cheat and confirmed through forensic analysis.

ESIC revealed that joel admitted to the misconduct when he responded to the charge in writing. It explained that, at joel's request, it delayed issuing the statement related to this infraction in order to "facilitate his transition into alternative employment."

"However, following the expiration of this grace period, Mr. Holmlund issued a threat to blackmail ESIC, with fabricated allegations, in response to ESIC’s intention to make the matter public—an act ESIC considers to be an egregious breach of its Integrity Program," ESIC added.

"This latest misconduct constitutes Mr. Holmlund’s third breach of the ESIC Integrity Program within a 24-month period and reflects a sustained disregard for the principles of integrity and fair play in esports."

ESIC determined that joel breached one clause of its anti-corruption code and 11 clauses of its code of conduct.

"Given the seriousness and sustained nature of Mr. Holmlund’s breaches, ESIC has imposed a lifetime ban effective immediately," ESIC added. This includes a permanent prohibition on participation "in any capacity" in all events, tournaments, leagues or activities run by ESIC members.

A repeat offender

This is not the first time that joel has been embroiled in controversy. Once touted as one of Sweden's most promising talents, he was provisionally suspended by ESIC in September 2023 while the esports watchdog investigated claims that he had engaged in corrupt behavior earlier that year while playing for GODSENT.

According to ESIC, joel placed bets on matches in which he was playing, including two bets against his own team, in addition to 17 bets on various matches. Still, ESIC's findings concluded there was "no compelling or conclusive evidence" that the player had engaged in match-fixing.

Read more

joel’s suspension to expire on January 6; no "compelling or conclusive" match-fixing evidence found

joel's ban expired on January 6 2024, just four months after the suspension, backdated from August 30, was issued. In determining the length of joel's ban, ESIC considered several factors, including his "cooperation, assistance, genuine contrition and commitment to seeking professional help."

In a post on X in November 2023, when the length of his suspension was announced, joel admitted to battling gambling addiction. He also said that he had been constantly the target of "false accusations, libel, and slander" throughout his career.

At the time, he stressed that he was "committed to seizing" the second chance ESIC had given him. "I'm determined to embark on a path of redemption and make the most of this opportunity," he wrote.