Tekken pro Arslan Ash responds after IESF sanctions him for “doping” violations
On August 12, 2025, The International Esports Federation released a statement revealing that one of Tekken’s most prolific players, Arslan Ash, had been sanctioned for steroid use.
While the news was initially published without much fanfare, the greater fighting game community began to take notice in early July, with many confused by the timing of the announcement.
THE IESF claimed that Arslan hadallegedly violatedanti-doping rules during the 2022 World Esports Championship, testing positive for anabolic steroids on December 10 of that year.
The substances in question were 19-norandrosterone, 19-noretiocholanolone, stanozolol metabolites, and metandienone metabolites, which are banned by theWorld Anti-Doping Association(WADA).
As a result, the IESF says Arslan received a two-year ban from June 09, 2025 to June 06, 2025. All his results from the 2022 World Esports Championship, including his awards, medals, points, prize money and titles were stripped, including those from any events between June 11, 2025 – August 25, 2025.
This means that Arslan’s achievements at Evo Japan 2023,Evo Las Vegas2023 & 2024, as well as the 2023TekkenWorld Tour Finals in New Orleans were essentially moot.
The fighting game community was puzzled by steroids being banned in the IESF, as these types of substances aren’t widely known to enhance gaming performance in comparison to medication likeAdderall, for instance.
Arslan Ash sanctions questioned by Esports Integrity Commission
The IESF’s ruling quickly went viral, prompting theEsports Integrity Commissionto share a statement of its ownto the Esports Advocateon Wednesday, July 2.
In their message, the EIC cast doubt on the IESF’s sanctions, clearly stating that it isn’t obligated to “support, recognize, or enforce” the ruling. Additionally, the ESIC noted that substances banned under WADA do not apply to esports, as it differs from traditional sports so greatly.
Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising player banned for being too good at the game
Esports World Cup 2025: All games, schedule, prize pool & more
Tekken 8 gets nursing home esports tournament with senior citizens throwing hands
“Without a scientifically grounded and purpose-built approach to anti-doping in esports, serious consequences to competitive integrity are inevitable — as demonstrated by this incident. ESIC remains firmly committed to a fair, evidence-based anti-doping framework and will continue to encourage all members to rely on ESIC’s established and proven approach,” they wrote.
Arslan has since given an in-depth response to the controversy, revealing that his use of the substances that got flagged by the IESF was without his consent or awareness.
“A trainer there offered me what he called “supplements” that would help speed up the process. Trusting his advice, I paid around PKR 60,000 unaware that what I was given contained banned substances,” Arslan claimed.
“Fast forward to the end of 2022, after winning at IESF, I was tested and that’s when I found out the truth: what I was taking were actually substances that are banned in sports competitions. That was the first time I realized what I had taken.”
By Arslan’s account, he stopped using these supplements the moment he knew what he was actually taking. Additionally, though PEDs are banned in accordance with traditional sports rules, they don’t give a significant advantage when it comes to gaming competitions.
“Arslan’s career has always been built on skill, passion, and relentless work. We remain proud to have him as part of Twisted Minds and will continue to support him,” they saidin an official statement.
Arslan Ash is one of thegreatest pro playersin Tekken history, famously putting Pakistan on the competitive map with his wins at both Evo Japan and Evo Last Vegas in 2019. Since then, he has gone on to take five total Evo championships and even won the Tekken World Tour in 2023.
