📝 Al Qadsiah coach Junkbuck fined $8,000 for speech violation

Two of Saudi Arabia’s top Overwatch 2 teams, Twisted Minds and Al Qadsiah, have been handed a series of suspensions and fines today following disciplinary investigations into two separate incidents that occurred in September.

The rulings, issued by the disciplinary committee of the Saudi Esports Federation on October 6 and October 9, stem from controversial match forfeitures and unsportsmanlike conduct during games held on September 18 and September 22, respectively. The sanctions include player suspensions, team fines, and even financial penalties that have directly impacted the teams’ current competition status. All culminating in a highly unusual matchup today between Al Qadsiah and Twisted Minds, where the former were forced to compete without a full roster.

The first incident occurred on September 18, when Twisted Minds unexpectedly withdrew from their scheduled match against Team Vision. According to the league, the decision to forfeit was driven by team captain Ahmad “Youbi” Alyoubi, who instructed the squad not to participate without presenting a valid reason. As a result, Youbi has been handed a 5,000 SAR (~$1,333) fine and a one-month ban from participating in the Saudi eLeague 2025 competition. The team itself has also been fined an additional 5,000 SAR for the unauthorised forfeit.

Just four days later, on September 22, tensions flared again. This time, involving both Al Qadsiah and Twisted Minds during a match that was cut short after a single map. The scheduled game was forfeited by Al Qadsiah, again without a valid reason per the organisers.

Two Al Qadsiah players, Abdulelah “LBBD7” Alfaifi and Ziyad “ZIYAD” Alkathiri, have each been fined 2,000 SAR (~$533) and suspended for one match for what the ruling described as “unsportsmanlike behaviour” directed at other players and organisers. The organisation has been fined 5,000 SAR for the forfeit and will also be stripped of their financial support allocated for the current stage of the competition.

In an unprecedented move, Al Qadsiah’s head coach, Choi “Junkbuck” Jae-won, has received one of the harshest penalties handed down to date: a 30,000 SAR (~$8,000) fine for spreading “false information regarding the events of the match” on X (formerly Twitter), and an obligation to remove the post.

The fallout wasn’t limited to Al Qadsiah. Twisted Minds player Ibrahem “Quartz” Alali was also sanctioned for unsportsmanlike behaviour in the same context, receiving a 2,000 SAR fine and a one-match suspension.

The timing of the rulings created immediate complications for both squads. With multiple players suspended, Al Qadsiah were forced to field an incomplete roster in today’s (October 9) scheduled match against Twisted Minds, raising concerns about competitive fairness and team preparedness. Sources indicate the team was unable to find suitable replacements in time, leading to what one analyst described as a “bizarre and lopsided” matchup.

Twisted Minds also entered the game with changes to their starting lineup, due to Quartz’s suspension, though the team had more flexibility in managing their roster depth.

For fans and analysts alike, the double blow of sanctions has cast a spotlight on professionalism within the regional Overwatch 2 scene, especially as both teams were previously considered serious contenders in the ongoing tournament.

It’s worth mentioning that the organisations hold the right to appeal the aforementioned fines if they choose to do so. We’ll keep a close eye on any developments in this space and provide any updates as they come along.