Lukas “Sakul” Vonderheide, e-sport athlete in FIFA 18, scored an own goal against his teammate Matthias “STYLO” Hietsch in the last FUT Weekend League. This goal has now become his downfall – the words fraud and competitive distortion are in the room.
He probably didn’t expect that: “Sakul”, who was already qualified for the second FUT Champions Cup in April, will not be making the trip there after all. The reason: An own goal in a FUT Champions match and the resulting accusation of fraud.
“Sakul” gifts “STYLO” the victory
For “Sakul”, it was no longer about anything. He was already qualified for the FUT Champions Cup on Xbox and was only playing on PlayStation 4 for the coins and packs.
It was different for his “FOCUS CLAN” teammate “STYLO”. He was at 33 wins to two losses and could not afford any missteps. Three losses would mean that he would have no chance left for the top 64 of the FUT Champions rankings. And only such a top placement gets you to the second FUT Champions Cup.
The two were on the phone with each other when they randomly met in the Weekend League. The match was broadcast live on Lukas Vonderheide’s Twitch channel. Shortly after the kickoff, he scored an own goal and then left the game. As a result, he received a loss – and his opponent and teammate “STYLO” the victory.
“I did not tell him to do that. I bear no guilt!”
Even though “STYLO” still missed the top 64 by five places – in the case of a replacement, he now takes a spot from another player due to the “manipulated” victory.
In response to a BILD- inquiry, “STYLO” reported that the intentional loss was never part of their phone conversation: “What my opponent does, I have no influence over. What Sakul did, I do not comment on. Yes, we talked on the phone. But I only told Sakul, upon his question about the score, that I was at 33:2. Then he hung up.”
Even the clan of the two players issued a statement to sport1: “We place great value on fairness and fair play and are against any form of competitive distortion. We communicate this clearly to our players. Moreover, these topics are part of our player contracts.”
Vonderheide himself did not want to comment, but the FOKUS CLAN has announced a statement video from their professional player.
Sakul suspended for FUT Champions Cup
A consequence from EA should not be expected. Instead, the FOKUS CLAN acted themselves: The leadership, which consists of the players themselves in this case, has decided that “Sakul” will not be going to the FUT Champions Cup in April.
Despite his successful qualification via Xbox, he therefore does not get a chance to win the prize money there.
However, it’s not that bad because: The FUT Champions Cup in April is just another qualification tournament on the road to the FIFA e-World Cup in the summer. And this hurdle “Sakul” has already overcome in January when he made it to the top eight gamers of his console in the first FUT Champions Cup.
After the Weekend League fraud scandal on Xbox, this is already the second negative headline within a week for EA’s important FUT Champions mode.
