Busan, South Korea (September 2, 2023): The International Esports Federation, which unites 140 National Federations, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Iasi, Romania, on 28 August during the 15th World Esports Championship Finals.
110 National Federations actively participated in the AGM, discussing the agenda that consisted of 44 motions that were voted on. One motion submitted by the Russian Esports Federation was to enable the future participation of athletes from Russia in 2024 to play under their national flag and anthem.
No Russian team was present this year at the World Championship, and no Russian delegate was present at the AGM.
After voicing their opinions, all 70 Members in attendance held a democratic vote, which resulted in Votes Against, 32 in Favor and 25 Abstentions.
The Ukrainian Esports Federation representatives did not accept the vote result and declined to meet with IESF leadership to discuss options to assist them in this difficult situation. The decision will go into effect for next year’s World Esports Championship, scheduled for late 2024.
The IESF team and the Athletes Committee were in place to assist and support all Ukrainian players, as athletes are at the core of what IESF is about. The Ukrainian teams were doing well in the tournament. In CS:GO, they were qualified for the Semi-Final Match.
With athletes’ interests at its core, the IESF Athletes Committee did all it could to mitigate the unfortunate situation of Ukrainian players and the Ukrainian Esports Federation, who informed IESF they would withdraw their teams from this year’s competition.
IESF strongly condemns all war, hate, political interventions and discrimination. Sport provides us with a unique platform for peacebuilding and future conflict prevention. We expect all members of the World Esports Family to use this platform for positive change and to embody IESF’s values of respect, unity and friendship.
IESF will continue to strive for peace and unity while firmly standing by all democratic processes made within the organisation and, above all, supporting and protecting the athletes.
