Videogame tournament will introduce drug testing

The Electronic Sports League (ESL) has announced that it will introduce randomised testing for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) next month.

Its first event where these tests will take place will be ESL One Cologne in August (22-23 August). The organisation said that testing will become a regular feature across ESL's event calendar, which includes events such as Intel Extreme Masters, ESL One and ESL ESEA Pro League.

The ESL’s decision, a first for the world of esports, comes after the public admission by pro player Kory "Semphis" Friesen that he and his team had all used the amphetamine adderall at a recent event.

In a statement released, the ESL says that it has partnered with the NADA (Nationale Anti Doping Agentur in Germany) to “help research and determine an anti-PEDs policy that is fair, feasible and respects the privacy of the players, whilst simultaneously providing conclusive testing results.”

The organisation is yet to reveal the full list of banned substances and the punishments for being found using them.

Other esports organisations are yet to respond to the ESL’s announcement.