Magic: The Gathering Player Requests Permanent DCI Suspension For Cheating

Wizards of the Coast

Last weekend, Magic: The Gathering player Dan Lanthier was caught cheating during a match in Wizard's Tower Modern Open event, and it was captured on stream, which you can watch here. Now, it looks like the Canadian two-time Grand Prix Champion is requesting a permanent DCI suspension to prove a point that Magic is a privilege, not a right.

Here's what he wrote in the email shared by Twitter user Daniel Fournier:

This past Saturday, I performed an illegal action in a DCI sanctioned tournament. The action itself and subsequent misinformation that was shared, which to this point are all very well documented, stand in complete defiance not only to Magic Tournament policy, but my past accomplishments honestly earned and the moral code I hold for myself.

I can't explain or justify my actions, but now that I am deeply remorseful and regret all of the personal development that I have worked for the last several years is left diminished as a result.

Cheating has no place in Magic. I am not the first player to ever break the rules of the game, and I most certainly will not be the last. As many have noted in wake of this and past events: Playing competitive Magic is a privilege, not a right. Having squandered that privilege, I ask that beginning with me and going forward that the penalty be permanent suspension from organized Magic."

My hope is that this provides a strong deterrent for anyone in a similar position to mine to be tempted and make the same mistake - resulting in a healthier Magic experience for everybody.

This is surprising to hear because we've never seen a Magic player publicly admit his mistake and ask for a permanent ban from DCI events before. Many players are tempted to cheat especially in big events with huge cash prizes and Dan Lanthier was one of the few who has the balls to admit his trust-breaking sin. Wizard's Tower already gave him a lifetime ban for playing from its events but we still don't know the consequence DCI will give him for his actions. Many have criticized Wizards of the Coast for not doing enough to punish cheaters, and just recently, pro player Gerry Thompson brought up this issue when he protested the state of professional Magic. Hopefully, Wizards of the Coast will listen to both Thompson and Thompson to help prevent cheaters from stealing victories in the Magic community.

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