Media: s1mple gets banned by Ukrainian Esports Federations; calls them out for double standards

In a bizarre turn of events, the Ukrainian Esports Federation has banned s1mple amongst other Ukrainian players for different reasons including playing with Russians. Amongst the noted Counter-Strike players are s1mple, zont1x and s1zzi.

The Ukrainian Esports Federation has given the players a 1-year ban with s1mple being banned for being on the same team as a Russian player, which is electroNic, who is his current teammate in BC.Game. Spirit's zont1x has also been banned for playing for Spirit along with other Russian players which include donk, magixx and sh1ro. Ukrainian team B8's young AWPer s1zzi has also been banned for being a part of the Spirit Academy.

Other players who have been banned, are for various reasons including cheating and other violations with some players even being handed bans upto five-years. Across CS2, a total of more than 20 players have been banned, with the ban for s1mple, zont1x and s1zzi all being for one year starting from June 19, 2026 and expiring on June 30, 2027. The likes of Sdaim, sFade8 and s-chilla also being handed bans. The ban though shouldn't affect s1mple and the rest a lot as they don't play in any tournaments organised by the Ukrainian Esports Federation

One to make his thoughts known, s1mple even responded on Twitter, stating that there is 'double standards' for players. He even criticised the Federation stating that those who made the decisions 'understand nothing about esport and have done nothing for it, so their opinion is worthless'.

While he didn't specify about the double standards, it could be for the likes of b1t, sdy and w0nderful who have also played with Russian players in the past, especially post the start of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.