German CS2 Player Banned 10 Years for Onstage Assault

A 31-year-old Counter-Strike 2 player from Berlin known as MAUschine has received a 10-year ban from German esports competitions after striking an opponent in the face during an awards ceremony at a tournament in Leipzig, Germany, on April 19, 2026.

The incident unfolded at the CAGGTUS Leipzig LAN event, a semi-professional gathering organized by DACH CS Masters. MAUschine's team had just lost the grand final to the squad featuring Fabian "Spidergum" Salomon, a 24-year-old player. As the teams assembled on stage for the trophy presentation, with no cash prize at stake but an invitation to the next year's event for the winners, MAUschine approached Salomon from behind and delivered a slap to his face. The force knocked Salomon's glasses to the floor, visibly stunning him. Video footage captured live on the event's broadcast showed MAUschine then attempting to shake the hand of a tournament organizer, who appeared shocked and refused. Security promptly escorted MAUschine off the stage.

Tournament officials cited escalating tensions from the match as a factor. During the final, Salomon had mocked MAUschine by imitating his signature celebration and shouting "papi chulo," a phrase...