“Hostile countries will not stop in their desire to limit Russia’s membership in the International Esports Federation” – Smith

Countries hostile to Russia will not stop in their desire to limit its membership in the International Electronic Sports Federation (IESF), President of the Russian Computer Sports Federation (RESF) Dmitry Smith said on the air of the show “There is a subject!” » on .

Previously, the IESF, following a complaint from the Ukrainian side, suspended membership in the Russian Computer Sports Federation due to the opening of RESF divisions in Lugansk and Donetsk. At the same time, Russian players and teams will be able to participate in IESF tournaments in neutral status.

— The subject is a little confusing. In an international federation, the main decision is taken by the congress, where representatives of the 140 countries meet. Russia’s position was supported there and sanctions were lifted on us last year. Now the Western partners, having received a complaint from Ukraine to the secretariat, instead of sending it to the legal committee for legal assessment, sent it to the accession committee. And this is where certain individuals with their political preferences are already concentrated. This committee agreed with the assertions of its Ukrainian colleagues and agreed that the Russian Federation should be excluded. This issue was later discussed at the board meeting. An online vote took place. Now the status of the Russian Federation is as follows: athletes can participate, but they are again prohibited from competing under the national flag at IESF competitions.

Membership in our federation has not been suspended. We are still members, we just have a term that implies some sort of “debt” on our part that needs to be corrected. We are members who have something to repair. We want an answer on what needs to be fixed. Our questions are unofficially answered that we need to talk to the country’s leadership so that they change the “Sports Law” so that people from the new territories cannot participate in competitions in the Russian Federation. We answer that no one will do that and that it is inhumane. They don’t tell us anything in response.

My view of the situation is that the decision is completely politicized. Some NATO countries continue to create total chaos. Although the Congress, the highest body, spoke of Russia’s participation without restrictions, attempts to limit us are being resumed. We will prepare the next congress to defend our rights. I don’t see any other way.

The new congress will take place this year, the final date is still unknown. Congress does not meet instantly. I don’t think until May.

— Before that, during all competitions, will ours be under a neutral flag again?

— It all depends on the specific competitions, who organizes them. But in general, if these are competitions in countries friendly to us, no one will prohibit us from competing under this flag. And in Europe or America – yes, without a flag.

– What are the forecasts?

— From what I understand, some people gave in. It is unlikely that we will be able to establish a dialogue with them, although we will try. There are some elements of blackmail, because, for example, the Finnish federation blatantly withdrew from the international federation, claiming that they did not want to be part of the organization alongside Russia. There are also several European countries, about five, which are also starting to blackmail the international federation, convincing it to limit Russia with sanctions. Otherwise, they too will leave the federation. There is no point in negotiating with such people.

I am confident that the Congress will once again support our position and that once again all restrictions imposed on the Russian Federation should be lifted. But there is a congress and a board of directors. And we must not think that after the next congress everything will be taken away from us and that that will be all. I am sure that our ingenious Western partners will find something else. One way or another they will try to put a spoke in our wheels,” Smith said on .

The suspension of the Russian Federation will remain in effect until the General Assembly of the IESF, at which the members of the organization decide whether to completely suspend the RESF or rejoin the organization, or until that the RESF eliminates the reason for the suspension.

Last August, the IESF allowed Russian teams to participate in international competitions with a flag and anthem. At the IESF congress, based on the voting results, delegates canceled the congress decision of April 18, 2022, according to which Russian athletes could not participate in international competitions under their own flag. 32 delegates spoke in favor of repealing the decision, 13 of them voted against and 25 delegates abstained.