On June 19, 2025, The Worldwide Esports Federation launched a press release revealing that certainly one of Tekken’s most prolific gamers, Arslan Ash, had been sanctioned for steroid use.
Whereas the information was initially revealed with out a lot fanfare, the higher combating sport 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.Article continues after advert
The substances in query have been 19-norandrosterone, 19-noretiocholanolone, stanozolol metabolites, and metandienone metabolites, that are banned by the World Anti-Doping Affiliation (WADA).
IESF.org
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 have 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 have been primarily moot.Article continues after adArticle continues after advert
The combating sport neighborhood was puzzled by steroids being banned within the IESF, as a majority of these substances aren’t extensively identified to boost gaming efficiency compared to remedy like Adderall, as an example.
Arslan Ash sanctions questioned by Esports Integrity Fee
The IESF’s ruling shortly went viral, prompting the Esports Integrity Fee to share a press release of its personal to the Esports Advocate on Wednesday, July 2.
Of their message, the EIC forged doubt on the IESF’s sanctions, clearly stating that it isn’t obligated to “assist, acknowledge, or implement” the ruling. Moreover, the ESIC famous that substances banned beneath WADA don’t apply to esports, because it differs from conventional sports activities so tremendously.Article continues after advert
“With no scientifically grounded and purpose-built method 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 method,” they wrote.Article continues after advert
X: ArslanAsh95Arslan Ash is named one of many biggest Tekken gamers of all time.
Arslan has since given an in-depth response to the controversy, revealing that his use of the substances that received flagged by the IESF was with out his consent or consciousness.Article continues after advert
“A coach there supplied me what he known as “dietary supplements” that may assist velocity up the method. Trusting his recommendation, I paid round PKR 60,000 unaware that what I used to be given contained banned substances,” Arslan claimed.
“Quick ahead to the tip of 2022, after profitable at IESF, I used to be examined and that’s once I discovered the reality: what I used to be taking have been truly substances which might be banned in sports activities competitions. That was the primary time I noticed what I had taken.”Article continues after advert
By Arslan’s account, he stopped utilizing these dietary supplements the second he knew what he was truly taking. Moreover, although PEDs are banned in accordance with conventional sports activities guidelines, they don’t give a major benefit with regards to gaming competitions.Article continues after advert
Arslan’s sponsor Twisted Minds has spoken out in opposition to the ruling, saying that the listing banning anabolic steroids was constructed for conventional sports activities and never esports. They don’t have any plans to alter their relationship with the participant on account of this ruling.Article continues after advert
“Arslan’s profession has at all times been constructed on talent, ardour, and relentless work. We stay proud to have him as a part of Twisted Minds and can proceed to assist him,” they mentioned in an official assertion.
Arslan Ash is among the biggest professional gamers in Tekken historical past, famously placing Pakistan on the aggressive map together 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.Article continues after advert
