Call of Duty League’s Pred Addresses Gambling Rumors and OpTic Controversy

Australian Call of Duty professional player Amer ‘Pred’ Zulbeari has recently addressed his current circumstances following his removal from the OpTic Texas CDL roster amid swirling rumors and speculation.

On December 11, reports began to emerge suggesting that Pred was no longer part of the OpTic organization, with Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland anticipated to take his place. This rumor was validated by December 13, when Huke officially joined the roster for the team’s scheduled matches.

Despite the ongoing speculation, Pred was notably absent from any discussions during broadcasts, and prominent OpTic figures, including Seth ‘Scump’ Abner, refrained from commenting on his departure, citing “personal reasons”without further elaboration.

With the situation shrouded in mystery, little information was available about Pred’s return, leading to a flurry of rumors, including suggestions of personal issues that had prompted him to return to Australia. The uncertainty left fans questioning whether his exit was permanent or a temporary break.

In response to the rumors, Pred took to Twitch on December 16 to clarify his situation and discuss his future with OpTic.

Clarifying Gambling Allegations

During his livestream, Pred briefly tackled the gambling accusations that had circulated since his removal. He firmly stated that he had never gambled on any Call of Duty League matches, including his own games. He emphasized the importance of responsible gambling, especially in light of recent social media posts that claimed he was burdened by substantial gambling debts. These claims raised concerns among fans regarding potential violations of CDL regulations.

OpTix Pred just confirmed he wasn’t match fixing or betting on his games (which is obvious. Everyone should have known) He keeps saying it’s been personal reasons and it has eroded his friendships with people and teammates and something happened that he doesn’t want to talk about pic.twitter.com/WnHVuFRaIM

— Chris (@KRNG_Chris) December 16, 2024

Prospects of Returning to CDL

Pred revealed in his stream that he has been grappling with mental health challenges, which he had struggled to acknowledge. He conveyed that despite OpTic’s attempts to support him, he felt it was ultimately necessary to sever ties with the team. He stated stepping away was essential to allow his replacement to shine without the shadow of his current circumstances. He assured fans that he harbors no animosity toward his former teammates or CEO Hector ‘H3CZ’ Rodriguez.

Looking ahead, Pred expressed his desire to rejoin the competitive scene after Major 1, scheduled for early February 2025. Now a free agent, he remains optimistic about the potential for joining a new team upon his return.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd1eQ8wx7UM

Stepping away from OpTic… (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd1eQ8wx7UM)

In a candid post on social media, he referred to his current situation as “a minor setback for a major comeback,” signifying his determination to overcome these challenges.

I appreciate all the support and love everyone is showing me, words can’t explain how much that all means to me. As you guys are now aware of the situation I am currently dealing with, I will be stepping away and handling my personal issues to fix my mental health. Go cheer the… pic.twitter.com/lLvF2hbHtG

— Pred (@Pred) December 16, 2024

Pred’s spirit remains unbroken as he aspires to return to the Call of Duty League when he feels ready. However, given the specifics of his departure, it appears unlikely that he will rejoin OpTic Texas. The future remains uncertain regarding which organization he may sign with when he makes his return.

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