ESIC revised the 3-year ban handed to Palkovics "playN" Tamás earlier this week into a lifetime ban on October 16, after the player posted content on social media that showed "apparent cash and other proceeds of financial crime."
Why the upgrade
ESIC labelled the post an "egregious breach which created the appearance of improper conduct under its Code of Conduct."
The post
A now-deleted post, captured in a screenshot by community member NartOutHere, showed playN holding a large amount of cash with the caption:
"2029 we back to Roman Imperium Cup."
The caption references the year his original 3-year ban would have expired — he would have been free to compete at Roman Imperium Cup in 2029.
Context on the lighter original ban
ESIC's original 3-year decision had cited playN's cooperation during the investigation (detailed responses, financial and communications production), his youth, and relative lack of experience as mitigating factors.
Status
- New ban: Lifetime
- Reported: October 16, 2026
- Current team listed on HLTV: "No team"
The article contains no public response from playN.
Source: HLTV.org — /news/45735/esic-imposes-lifetime-ban-on-playn
