FIDE AC extends ban and revokes title of IM Andrejs Strebkovs over harassment of female players
The FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission Appeal Chamber has issued its decision regarding the case of IM Andrejs Strebkovs. The case involved accusations of sending offensive and inappropriate materials, including pornographic images and used condoms, to female chess players, some of whom were minors. These actions disrupted events such as the 2021 Women’s Grand Swiss Tournament and caused significant harm to the affected players and the broader chess community. In its initial ruling, the EDC First Instance Chamber found IM Andrejs Strebkovs guilty of several breaches of FIDE’s ethics and disciplinary code, imposing a five-year ban from all FIDE-rated events. Strebkovs appealed this decision, denying his involvement and challenging the evidence and FIDE’s authority to handle the case. FIDE, in turn, filed a cross-appeal, seeking a harsher sanction, including a longer ban and the revocation of Strebkovs’ International Master title, emphasizing the harm done to women and minors in che...
