Mark Zakhary – aka Mark11 – lost the FIFAe World Cup final on penalties
By Jack Gray & Tom Richardson
BBC Newsbeat
Pro gaming teams say the result of the Fifa esports World Cup final has been overshadowed by controversy.
A row broke out after Mark Zakhary – aka Mark11 – lost to Manuel “Bachoore” Bachoore on penalties.
Mark’s team Futwiz claim he tried to stop play because his controller inputs were visible on a big screen, revealing where he was aiming.
Organiser FIFAe said it’s reviewed footage and found “no competitive advantage” was gained during the match.
Competition game Fifa 23 has an option to enable input overlay – which displays a player’s controller on-screen.
This meant Mark’s button presses were also shown around the arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
His team, Futwiz, claim he tried three times to tell referees and ask them to restart the shootout, but lost 4-5 to Team Gullit player Bachoore.
Mark tells BBC Newsbeat the distraction “mentally affected” him a lot.
“I didn’t know what to feel because it was too hard a situation to be in,” he says.
“Millions of people can see where I’m shooting, I honestly didn’t know what I was doing at that time.”
Mark’s clear that he doesn’t think his opponent’s team would cheat, but isn’t impressed with the way organisers handled the situation.
Image source, EPA
Manuel Bachoore took home the trophy – and $300,000 in prize money
His opponent Manuel says he “had no idea that a controller was even on the screen, and I just heard some noises in the background”.
“If I wanted I could look but if I did I would probably be disqualified,” he says.
Manuel says it’s possible Mark “wasn’t in the zone” due to the distraction, but he’s not responsible for that.
And Manuel says he feels “amazing” after winning the record $300,000 (£232,000) first prize.
“Definitely the best day in my career,” he says.
‘Title that I deserve’
The bosses of Futwiz and Team Gullit tell Newsbeat the controversy has put focus in the wrong place.
Futwiz coach Dan Bellis says: “Everyone’s talking about how it ended.
“We should be celebrating the fact that one of these young lads has been crowned the best in the world,” he says.
Team Gullit’s coach Renzo Oemrawsingh agrees the controversy is “disappointing” and “takes away the shine” of the win.
But he rejects suggestions there should be a rematch after FIFAe investigated.
“Mark had the controller input in there. That is an optional feature which a player can choose,” he says.
“I don’t want to say it but it’s kind of their own responsibility to be aware of that.”
Image source, EPA
The event was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and watched online by a large audience
In a statement, FIFAe said players are told their input overlay might be broadcast if they choose to enable it.
It said “the same situation occurred during the semi-finals” and no further concerns were raised before the final.
“After thorough review of the footage, we can also confirm that no player received a competitive advantage as the opposite team only watched their own screen,” it added.
According to the competition rules, games can only be paused if technical issues occur – which did not take place during the penalty shootout.
The event is not linked to developer EA, which ended its deal with Fifa last year.
Mark, who spoke to Newsbeat as he was boarding a flight back to Australia, says he hopes the organisers act on the feedback so future players aren’t put off.
As for him, he says: “I’ll always be here trying to come back to that title that I deserve.”
