ESL Hands Krad a Two-Week Ban for Controversial Weapon Craft

A decorative customization on a weapon skin has led to controversy, sparking a disciplinary action against Vladislav “Krad” Kravchenko, a professional player for AMKAL. The ESL tournament organizers have decided to impose a two-week suspension on the player due to an offensive Desert Eagle craft that was used in an official match.

Krad himself confirmed the penalty through his Telegram channel, explaining that ESL deemed the craft inappropriate, resulting in his temporary removal from competition. The issue came to light when Swedish journalist Ludvig Nilsson noticed the Desert Eagle’s customization, which displayed a racial slur spelled out using team souvenir stickers. The discovery quickly gained traction on social media, with discussions arising regarding when the weapon was obtained, who applied the stickers, and whether Krad was even aware of the offensive nature of the customization.

The incident has sparked heated debates in the esports community, with some arguing how such a weapon ended up being used in an official setting, while others questioned whether ESL’s punishment was too harsh or too lenient. Some observers have also pointed out that players frequently trade or receive weapons without checking every detail of their inventory.

Krad has defended himself by claiming that he was unaware of the weapon’s customization, stating that he plays with a left-handed model, making it difficult for him to notice the offensive stickers on his Desert Eagle. Regardless of whether the stickers were applied by Krad or inherited from a trade, ESL was firm in its decision, enforcing a ban to maintain the integrity and professional standards of its competitions.

With Krad sidelined, 9Pandas has announced that Anton “tonyblack” Kolesnikov will step in as a temporary substitute while the ban remains in effect. The suspension provides Krad an opportunity to remove the offending stickers from his inventory and ensure that no similar issue arises in the future. The situation has once again highlighted the importance of accountability in esports and the strict measures tournament organizers enforce to prevent inappropriate content from appearing in professional matches.