A recent decision by the International Esports Federation (IESF) to issue a retroactive two-year doping ban to professional Tekken player Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique has drawn sharp criticism from the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC). The ban, revealed on 19 June 2025, relates to a positive test for anabolic steroids during the 2022 World Esports Championship (WEC22) — a sanction that was applied from April 2023 to April 2025 and had already expired by the time it was publicly announced.
The IESF stated that Arslan tested positive for multiple anabolic agents, including 19-norandrosterone and Stanozolol Metabolites, during an in-competition doping control on 10 December 2022. The organisation acted under its Anti-Doping Rules, which align with the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC), and disqualified Arslan’s results from WEC22 as well as other results earned between December 2022 and April 2023.
However, the timing and basis of the announcement have prompted serious concerns. In a LinkedIn post, Ian Smith, Commissioner of the ESIC, questioned the appropriateness of applying WADA protocols to esports and criticised both the framework and the impact of the decision. ESIC’s position on the matter was first reported by news portal The Esports Advocate.
“The WADA Code and Prohibited List were built for traditional sport. Anabolic steroids have no proven performance benefit in competitive Tekken, or esports generally,” Smith wrote. “Using an ill-fitting framework harms, rather than protects, competitive integrity.”
Smith also highlighted that ESIC has run an esports-specific anti-doping programme since 2016, in collaboration with anti-doping veteran Michele Verroken and a medical advisory panel. According to him, the ESIC programme focuses on substances that may offer in-game advantages — such as stimulants — rather than those intended for physical enhancement.
He further criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the IESF’s handling of the case, noting that no other tournament organisers, including ESIC itself, were informed of the ban during the two-year ineligibility period. This meant that Arslan Ash continued to compete — and win — in major international events such as EVO Japan, EVO Las Vegas, and the Tekken World Tour Finals.
“This late declaration unjustly smears an athlete’s reputation and casts doubt on entire event results; while offering zero integrity benefit,” Smith stated.
In response to the IESF’s actions, Smith urged tournament organisers to adopt ESIC’s anti-doping code, which he describes as “evidence-based” and supported by esports athletes. He also called on the IESF to either negotiate a dedicated esports framework with WADA or cease applying what he views as an unsuitable system.
Meanwhile, Arslan Ash has clarified that the substances in question were used “strictly for bodybuilding purposes” during the COVID-19 pandemic, when esports tournaments were on hold. Speaking to ProPakistani, he expressed a lack of awareness that these substances were prohibited in esports and stated that he ceased using them upon learning of the risks and relevant rules.
Despite the controversy, Arslan’s competitive career remains unaffected. He has continued to participate in international events and added multiple titles to his record since 2022, including a growing list of EVO championships.
The IESF maintains its zero-tolerance stance on doping and has reaffirmed its commitment to testing at every sanctioned tournament. However, with influential figures such as Smith raising questions about the relevance and timing of this enforcement, the case has reignited debate over how doping controls should be designed and applied within esports.
