Maniac CS2 Allegations: Everything You Need To Know

CS2 analyst Mathieu ‘Maniac’ Quiquerez is at the center of serious sexual misconduct allegations, stemming from an afterparty following a Counter-Strike event in London.

Two women have spoken up, citing inappropriate touching and groping among other forms of non-consensual contact done by Maniac to them and other women in the party. Despite denying the accusations, Maniac has stepped down from the ESL Pro League broadcast. ESL FACEIT Group has since looked into the incident with an investigation.

Initial Allegation by Hannah Marie ZT

On September 4, 2024, freelance e-sports journalist Hannah Marie ZT shared her experience on social media. She said in the post that she wishes to help and protect other women from predatory men in the e-sports community by coming forward.

TW: SA

This summer, I was sexually assaulted by CS2 broadcast talent/ex-pro, Maniac_CSGO.

I was repeatedly groped, grabbed, and inappropriately touched over 3hrs where I felt unable to raise the issue and afraid to leave other women at his mercy.

Please read: pic.twitter.com/3Fj8EX9nfw

— Hannah Marie ZT (@hannahmariezt) September 4, 2024

Marie recounted in her statement Maniac’s alleged sexual advances at a summer CS2 afterparty, which included repeatedly grabbing her waist, touching or stroking her legs, squeezing her private areas, and grinding on her from behind. These were all in spite of her showing clear discomfort and not reciprocating his actions. 

Maniac Responds to the Accusations 

In an X (formerly Twitter) post, Maniac responded to the allegations by claiming that he remembers the interactions differently, and that he was under the impression that they were mutual and consensual. He claims that his Uber receipts could prove that he arrived at the party past midnight, aiming to disprove Marie’s statement that the incident started around 11PM.

My response to the allegations. pic.twitter.com/LaGoTEOW51

— Maniac (@Maniac_CSGO) September 4, 2024

He denies any sexual assault taking place, but acknowledges his inappropriate behavior. In the same post, he announced that he will take a step back and remove himself from EPL.

Daisy Powers Corroborates Marie’s Statement 

Shortly after Maniac’s response, Daisy “Dampptowel” Powers shared her own story from the event. Calling Maniac’s statement an “extremely facetious version” of the incidents, she said that she felt compelled to speak out to clarify what happened. 

My response to maniacs “statement”

Please read: pic.twitter.com/FoLj4vTJdk

— Daisy 🌼 (@Dampptowel) September 4, 2024

Dampptowel claimed Maniac groped her multiple times at the same party, non-consensually and in full view of her fiancé. She described her experience as scary, saying the caster followed her across the dancefloor and around the venue. She added that other women that night were similarly groped or made uncomfortable by Maniac.

 

Jack “Jacky” Peters, an esports entertainer and Daisy’s fiance uploaded a four-minute video supporting her statement. He described Maniac’s alleged attempts to inappropriately touch his fiancée and claimed he and friends had to physically block Maniac to protect others. These additional accounts added weight to the initial allegations against Maniac.

https://t.co/VQVNqciENm pic.twitter.com/lB6Yz1EEPG

— Jacky (@Jackyesports) September 4, 2024

Event Details and Industry Response

 

In a statement to Dust2.us, Marie confirmed that the incident occurred at the BLAST Premier Fall Finals London Afterparty. This detail helps contextualize the allegations within the broader CS2 competitive scene. The high-profile nature of the event adds to the gravity of the situation.

ESL Pro League organizers ESL FACEIT Group acknowledged awareness of the accusations against Maniac who appeared on their analyst desk this year. They said that they are conducting an investigation and announced Maniac will be removed from ongoing ESL Pro League broadcasts.

On September 5, BLAST Premier gave comment on the matter through an X post, writing that the complaints against Maniac, who was a BLAST Premier talent member but not an employee, were immediately and formally investigated. BLAST expressed that they are unable to disclose specific details due to confidentiality, but that they have upheld the complaints against and have no current plans to work with Maniac.

We are aware of social media posts regarding a complaint of misconduct against a BLAST Premier talent member, following a BLAST event.

For reasons of confidentiality, we are unable to disclose specific details, but can confirm that this complaint was immediately and formally…

— BLAST Premier 💥 (@BLASTPremier) September 5, 2024

Conclusion: The Consequences and Implications

Prior to these allegations, Maniac was a respected figure in the CS2 community, working with major organizations like ESL, BLAST, and PGL. His involvement in high-profile events, including the 2024 Copenhagen Major, has also contributed to his prominence. The heavy accusations that are now ruining his reputation also threaten to upset his integrity and career. Fans say that there is “no coming back” from the consequences of having them proven true.

The serious allegations against Maniac are sparking important conversations about safety and accountability in e-sports. That a lot of fans do not consider groping or non-consensual sexual advances as assault or misconduct sends clear implications as to why victims in the scene are afraid to come forward. The recent incidents bring light to how important it is for e-sports organizations and fans to recognize the gravity of sexual offenses and keep the community a safe place for everyone.