Pakistan’s star Tekken player Arslan Ash has finally broken his silence after receiving a two-year doping ban from the International Esports Federation (IESF). Ash said he was misled by a local trainer who gave him banned supplements in 2022 without warning him of the consequences. He claimed he had no intention of gaining any unfair advantage in esports.
The IESF had announced in June that Arslan Ash tested positive for several banned substances, including 19-norandrosterone and stanozolol metabolites. These are prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) guidelines, which the IESF follows. As a result, Ash’s titles, prize money, and rankings earned after December 2022 were stripped, including his 2022 World Esports Championship win.
In his defense, Arslan said the substances were casually sold to him at a gym in Pakistan, where there was no proper awareness or guidance. “I was unaware these drugs were banned in esports and never took them for gaming performance,” he explained. He added that after learning about the banned ingredients, he immediately stopped using them and began focusing on better health and awareness.
Despite the ban, many in the esports community have questioned the decision. Critics argue that testing for physical steroids in a non-physical sport like Tekken is not scientifically justified. The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) also refused to enforce the IESF’s ruling, calling their doping system unfit for esports and lacking scientific logic.
Arslan’s sponsor, Twisted Minds, expressed full support for the player, calling the IESF’s framework “outdated” and praising Arslan for his hard work and skill. They emphasized that his success has always been based on passion, talent, and discipline — not supplements.
Although the IESF ban remains in place, Arslan’s biggest wins, including five EVO titles and the 2023 Tekken World Tour championship, are still officially recognized. The Pakistani legend remains one of the most respected and decorated players in Tekken history, with fans and supporters standing firmly by his side.