For PlayTime, the hunt for the Dota 2 title at the Esports World Cup is over. The Peruvian team has been disqualified from the competition. Two of the players are suspected of violating anti-corruption and conduct rules.
In the professional Dota scene, the term “322” is a common synonym for match-fixing—a reference to a 13-year-old scandal involving a $322 payout. Currently, the number is popping up more frequently on social media again. The reason: an allegation of this nature has surfaced in connection with the Esports World Cup.
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) announced on Tuesday that it has launched an investigation into the two Dota 2 players, Juan ‘Vintage’ Angulo and Oswaldo ‘DarkMago’ Herrera, from the PlayTime organization. As a result, they have been provisionally suspended from the major event in Paris.
To “protect” the integrity of competition
In addition to the Esports World Cup, the current suspensions also apply to all other tournaments organized by ESIC members. “Vintage” is also prohibited from acting as a coach, manager, or in any other support role.
“The provisional suspensions were imposed following a preliminary assessment of the information by the ESIC, which concerns alleged violations of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code and the Code of Conduct for Players,” the official statement reads. The measures are intended to serve “protection and prevention” with regard to the integrity of competition.
The investigations into Angulo and Herrera have not yet been concluded. The ESIC also does not address the evidence underlying the allegations in its statement. “Both parties were informed of the reasons for and implications of the provisional measures, were heard by the ESIC, and were given the opportunity to comment and submit relevant material,” the organization announced.
First Postponed, Then Disqualified
Following the suspension of its two players, the Esports Foundation had granted PlayTime a postponement for the match against Vici Gaming, which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the match was then ruled a forfeit in favor of the Peruvians, who were consequently eliminated in Round 1 of the Survival Stage.
As a result of the “interim measures,” PlayTime is, according to the Esports Foundation, “no longer able to meet the necessary conditions for participation to continue in the competition.”
— EWC Extra (@EWC_Extra) July 15, 2026
This is an unfortunate turn of events for PlayTime—especially if the allegations against “Vintage” and “DarkMago” are not substantiated. Because one thing must be clear: While the ESIC does not impose such provisional suspensions lightly, Angulo and Herrera were suspended before the facts were established.
