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ESIC Suspends Northern Lights Following Preliminary Investigation

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has officially imposed an interim suspension on Swedish Counter-Strike 2 team Northern Lights, along with all players competing under its banner, following a preliminary investigation that uncovered evidence of serious breaches of its Integrity Programme.

This decision comes shortly after Elitserien, a major Swedish league, banned the same roster for alleged cheating and match-fixing. The ESIC’s suspension aims to safeguard the integrity of ongoing competitions while a full investigation continues.

Who’s Affected

The five players provisionally banned from all ESIC member events include:

  • Axel “Axelen” Enholm
  • Anton “Meinz” Evander
  • Oscar “Avoy” Dahlkvist
  • Frank “Fraaank” Issal
  • Alexander “frigolito” Andersson

All five players were previously sanctioned by Elitserien earlier this month. Avoy, Fraaank, and frigolito were handed one-year bans for match-fixing, while Meinz and Axelen received lifetime bans, with Axelen also accused of cheating on top of the alleged fixing.

What the Suspension Means

Effective immediately, Northern Lights and its players are barred from participating in any ESIC Member Event, including online qualifiers and tournaments, until the investigation concludes.

Any time spent under this interim suspension will count toward potential final sanctions if wrongdoing is confirmed. ESIC clarified that this is not yet a final judgement but a necessary precaution to protect competitive fairness while due process unfolds.

“The matters under review concern potential violations of the Anti-Corruption Code and the Code of Conduct,” ESIC stated in its release.

Investigation Ongoing

ESIC has already issued Notices of Charge and interrogatories to the relevant participants, allowing them to respond before any final determination is made. The Commission will continue gathering evidence and may issue further enforcement actions depending on what is uncovered.

Once the investigation concludes, a public statement detailing the outcomes will be released. Event organisers affiliated with ESIC are expected to honour the suspension and prevent Northern Lights from competing in their events.

A Wider Problem in Swedish Counter-Strike

This case adds to a growing list of integrity issues in Sweden’s Counter-Strike scene in 2025. Earlier this year, former GODSENT player Joel “joel” Holmlund received a lifetime ban for cheating in online matches, sparking widespread debate about the region’s competitive integrity.

The Northern Lights scandal follows a pattern of recent actions by ESIC, which has been ramping up its enforcement to clean up the global esports ecosystem. In May, the Commission handed out multiple bans to ATOX Esports players and staff for alleged match-fixing, and earlier this month, it issued a similar interim suspension to SENZA’s CS2 roster.

ESIC’s Commitment to Integrity

ESIC reaffirmed its stance on preserving fair play across esports, noting that interim suspensions are vital tools when credible evidence arises during active investigations.

The organisation remains committed to ensuring all players and teams compete under transparent, honest conditions while promoting trust among fans, sponsors, and tournament organisers.

While the full details of Northern Lights’ alleged offences are still under review, this interim action underscores ESIC’s ongoing mission to maintain integrity within esports and to ensure competitive fairness is upheld across all levels of play.