Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH shocked the scene this week by announcing an official statement of the banned players. The statement did not include names, but more information about the punishment. The cheaters received bans from the current PES 2008 tournament, and a one year ban from PES Rankings. PES 2008 tournament's winner gets $50,000 prize.

PESFan.com's administrator stated at the forums that one of the banned players is Fnatic's Robert "RobMcLean" McLean. "I am very sorry to announce but as many will now know Rob Mclean has been banned from PES Rankings for cheating in the current play.com event. Unfortunately for reasons that only Rob knows he cheated and he must now face the punishment of exclusion from the events," the admin stated.

"I hope this isn't the last we see of Rob because I believe he is a superb PES player but perhaps pressure got to him too much to achieve and he has been caught out."

McLean's statement

"I have made many mistakes in my life but this was a silly one to make. It was not one I needed to make as I was 4-0 up and my opponent disconnected. I let down a lot of people including myself but I am completely adamant I never cheated as the game was already won," says McLean.

"I was just trying to protect myself and I feel I have been made an example of here purely because of who I am. If I am any other player on PESRankings, I don't get a 12 month ban. I appreciate everything Konami and PESRankings have done for me in the past but this is nothing more than a huge disappointment for me and I do not feel I have been treated fairly."