The regional League of Legends esports scene is currently enveloped in controversy due to a match-fixing scandal that has sent shockwaves through the community. In an unprecedented move, the Vietnam Championship Series (VCS) has been paused to allow for a thorough investigation into allegations of match-fixing among teams, leading to the delay of playoffs and finals. Riot Games, the organizer behind the VCS, has called in all eight participating teams for an extensive inquiry at the VCS broadcast studio.
In a drastic response to these findings, Riot Games has imposed a temporary suspension on 32 players across the board, implicating a significant portion of the league’s talent. The scope of the investigation is vast, with up to 80% of VCS players under scrutiny for potentially being involved in manipulating match outcomes.
Comprehensive List of Suspended Players
The list of players facing suspension is extensive, touching every team involved in the series:
- Rainbow Warriors: Ky Vuong / Raze, Hoang Nghia / HinieeeC, Trung Hieu / Hyo, Anh Kiet / Yuki, Dinh Khoi / Spot, Van Hau / Artifact, Quoc Hung / K1ller, and Trong Tri / 2T.
- GAM Esports: Đỗ Đình Sang / Blazes and Lê Viết Huy / Pyshiro.
- Team Flash: Lê Minh Dũng / Dzung, Đinh Bùi Quốc Cường / Marcus, Lê Ngọc Toàn / Draktharr, Nguyễn Hoàng Khánh / Jane, and Lương Thành Tài / Puddin.
- Team Secret: Hoàng Công Nghĩa / Eddie and Quách Khánh Hoàng / Qiang.
- Vikings Esports: Lương Hải Long / Gury, Nguyễn Vũ Khang Nguyên / Bunn, Võ Văn Phi / Kairi, and Ngô Đức Khánh / Kratos.
- Cerberus Esports: Nguyễn Đăng Khoa / Pun, Trần Bảo Quang / Ikigai, Nguyễn Hoàng Phú / Richard I, and Nguyễn Huy Hùng / Slowz.
- MGN Blue Esports: Nguyễn Minh Hào / Sorn, Bùi Văn Minh Hải / Froggy, Võ Hoàng Lê Khang / Ryuk, Đào Văn Tuấn / Rigel, and Tiêu Quốc Lương / Zodiac.
- Team Whales: Trần Văn Chính / BeanJ and Lê Ngọc Vinh / Gloryy.
Repercussions for the Esports Industry
The scandal has brought into sharp relief the vulnerabilities and pressures inherent in the esports industry, especially in regions like Vietnam, which plays a pivotal role in the global esports ecosystem. Esports manager Chris Smith expressed his astonishment at the unfolding events, emphasizing the potential long-term damage to the Vietnamese esports reputation.
Commentator Isaac Cummings Bentley drew attention to the financial struggles faced by players, suggesting that the insufficiency of player salaries might be a contributing factor to their involvement in match-fixing. This issue seems to be a recurring theme in esports leagues where the financial incentives do not fully meet the players’ needs, leading to unfortunate choices.
There is also speculation about the future of the VCS, including talks of a potential merger with another region to ensure stability and integrity moving forward. Similar restructuring efforts were previously seen with the merging of the Oceanian League into the NA LCS.
Teams such as Rainbow Warriors and MGN Blue Esports have openly acknowledged the investigation into their conduct, opting to halt competition for the time being. Meanwhile, Team Whales has terminated its contracts with BeanJ and Gloryy, who have both expressed a desire to prove their innocence. Cerberus Esports stands firm in their belief in their players’ innocence and has pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation.
The immediate future of the VCS, particularly its participation in the upcoming Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), remains uncertain as the esports world eagerly awaits further updates. The league’s organizers have assured fans and stakeholders that they are committed to transparency and will provide updates on the resumption of competition as soon as possible.
This scandal underscores the challenges facing esports, highlighting the need for robust mechanisms to protect the integrity of competitions. The community’s response will be a critical test of its resilience and its capacity to uphold the principles of fair play and sportsmanship that are foundational to the spirit of esports.