A FIFA pro has sparked a wave of outrage in FIFA 19 through cheating and time-wasting. His management and the community are not exactly pleased with this.
Time-wasting is a controversial topic in football. Both in reality and in simulations like FIFA 19. As an opponent, you can get really frustrated when the opposing player does everything to drag out the victory.
Pro Artac Sinoplu, or “Arti_Griezmann,” has taken it to the extreme and thus stirred the anger of the community. By using a trick with his goalkeeper, he managed to secure a victory.
Time-wasting scandal through 1:0 victory
What happened? In an online match during the FUT qualifiers, Arti_Griezmann led against a Danish Twitter user “Don Oli” in the 60th minute with 1:0. Instead of continuing to play normally, he apparently decided to take this victory home at all costs.
So he quickly used a trick where he kept passing back to his defender with his goalkeeper, who then headed the ball back to the keeper. This allowed him to completely run down the remaining time of the match.
On top of that, he provoked his opponent with fake goal kicks. His opponent seems to have endured this throughout the remaining match.
Is this already cheating? In itself, this style of play does not violate the rules. No cheat or hack is being used here. Nevertheless, one cannot exactly call this trick a model example of fairness, but rather as unsportsmanlike conduct.
Here are the reactions: His opponent published a characteristic scene from the match via Twitter. There, many other members of the FIFA community reacted with anger. Many voiced their opinions and said they too are “victims” of Arti_Griezmann.
What does the pro himself say? By now, Artac has apologized for the action. In a message he addresses the community.
Dear FIFA Community,
I want to apologize for my style of play during this FUT qualifier. I understand your anger well. […] I have a strong desire to win and was quite naive to believe that everything was allowed within the rules. […]
I will try to grow not only as a player but also as a person. Arti.
Management reprimands Arti_Griezmann
While Artac Sinoplu apparently does not take the matter too seriously, his management is less thrilled.
“Arti has done a disservice to himself with this action. Although he acted within the rules, he placed his desire to win over the idea of fair play. This does not align with our guidelines and has been sanctioned internally. He has apologized to his opponent, received a yellow card from us, and at 18 years old, has proven that he still has a lot to learn.”
This blunder will likely not harm his career. Shortly thereafter, he signed a contract with Team Rogue, whose investor is the famous DJ Steve Aoki. There, Artac will participate in the Club World Championship alongside other professionals.
FIFA pros repeatedly find themselves in the spotlight for stories that have little to do with the game. Just like this player, who was banned for using a profanity, whose meaning he probably did not know.
