PlayTime forfeits after ESIC suspensions, Dota 2 playoffs set

Four teams advanced to the Dota 2 playoffs at the Esports World Cup in Paris on July 15, a day overshadowed by integrity-related suspensions that led to one team's removal from the tournament. Vici Gaming, BetBoom Team, Team Spirit, and Rune Eaters secured their quarterfinal spots after the second round of the survival stage concluded.

The day's competition was directly impacted by an ongoing investigation by the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC), a partner of the event. The ESIC issued provisional suspensions to PlayTime's player Gonzalo "DarkMago" Herrera and coach Juan "Vintage" Angulo for suspected breaches of its Anti-Corruption Code and Player Code of Conduct. The commission emphasized the suspensions are interim measures and no final determination of guilt has been made. As a result, PlayTime was unable to meet eligibility requirements and was removed from the tournament, forfeiting its scheduled first-round match to Vici Gaming.

Vici Gaming subsequently won its second-round match against 1w Team in a 2-1 series to advance. In other matches, BetBoom Team swept LGD Gaming 2-0, Team Spirit defeated Team Liquid 2-1, and Rune Eaters beat Aurora Gaming 2-0. These four teams...