Former LDLC and Titan member Hovik "KQLY" Tovmassian has praised ESL's new stance on VAC bans on a professional level but stated his belief that there is a "0.1% chance" of him ever making a comeback.

Hovik "⁠KQLY⁠" Tovmassian caused one of the biggest shocks in Counter-Strike history in November 2014 after being banned by Valve's anti-cheat tool just days before Titan, his then team, were due to attend the DreamHack Winter Major.

Contacted by HLTV.org, ESL explained that VAC bans will now be enforced for only two years on a professional level, which means that, after this period, the banned players will be able to compete again at IEM and ESL One events, and in the ESL Pro League (starting from Season 6).



KQLY would jump at the chance to play again professionally

It is a beacon of hope for all VAC-banned players wishing to compete at the highest level once again, but KQLY believes it will be almost impossible for him to earn the trust of a team again.

"It is really nice to see some organisations think differently and try to give people like us a second chance," Tovmassian told HLTV.org." "I do not think it will change anything, though. Even if I am allowed to play in these tournaments, it will be very hard to find people willing to trust you or an organisation wishing to take you in." "There is like a 0.1% chance of that happening." "But of course that, if there was someone out there willing to give me a second chance, I would take it without a moment's thought."

KQLY, who attended three Majors and won events like ESWC 2013 and DreamHack Stockholm prior to his ban, admitted to trying out a cheating software, but only during a week and before his move to Titan. He has also rejected suggestions that he cheated at offline events.

His ban resulted in Titan being disqualified from the final Major of 2014 and sponsorship deals falling through, according to a statement from Damien Grust, the organisation's CEO. Titan would shut down in January 2016 due to financial issues, with the CS:GO players then joining G2.