PTime expelled from Esports World Cup after integrity probe targets DarkMago and Vintage
The Dota 2 squad was pulled from EWC 2026 after the Esports Integrity Commission launched an investigation into potential anti-corruption code breaches.
South American Dota 2 team PTime got the boot from the Esports World Cup 2026 on July 15 after two of its members were provisionally suspended by the Esports Integrity Commission. The investigation centers on mid player Oswaldo “DarkMago” Herrera and coach Juan “Vintage” Angulo, both of whom face scrutiny for potential breaches of ESIC’s Anti-Corruption Code and Player Code of Conduct.
No formal accusations have been made yet. ESIC framed the suspensions as precautionary, designed to protect the integrity of competition and preserve evidence while the probe continues.
What happened and why it matters
The trouble surfaced around July 14, when PTime’s scheduled match against Vici Gaming was postponed due to unspecified integrity concerns. Within a day, ESIC issued provisional suspensions against DarkMago and Vintage, effectively barring them from the EWC and all other ESIC-sanctioned events until the investigation wraps up.
Because PTime could no longer field an eligible roster under tournament rules, the team was removed from the competition entirely on July 15. Following the removal, any further decisions regarding the tournament will be handled by the Esports Foundation.
The nature of the alleged breaches hasn’t been publicly detailed by ESIC. Community speculation has gravitated toward match-fixing or betting irregularities, though none of that has been confirmed by officials. ESIC has been careful to stress the protective nature of the suspensions rather than characterizing them as punitive.
The esports integrity landscape
ESIC serves as the integrity partner for the Esports World Cup, enforcing anti-corruption protocols to address issues of match-fixing and betting malpractice. Provisional suspensions allow the commission to remove individuals from active competition while an investigation is ongoing, preventing potential evidence tampering and ensuring that tournament results aren’t tainted by participants under active scrutiny.
Previously, PTime had advanced in the 2026 group stage, establishing itself as a formidable competitor in the tournament before this removal.