A supposed match-fixing scandal has shaken the regional League of Legends esports scene, affecting all teams involved.
Last week, the folks running the Vietnam Championship Series (VCS) for League of Legends said they'd put games on hold. They're digging into the teams playing in the tournament, pushing back the playoffs and finals. Even though it's a hiccup, they promise to make the competition fair and square.
Later, the Vietnamese esports website Ithethao reported that in just two days, Riot Games called all eight teams from the tournament to the VCS broadcast studio. It was done to investigate reported match-fixing. Until then, Riot and the tournament officials had not verbally described the situation as 'match-fixing.' But today, they declared the temporary suspension of 32 players from all VCS teams while the investigation is ongoing.
Up to 80% of pro players under investigation
If you usually have five gamers in each League of Legends team, and there are eight teams, that could mean up to 80% of these players are now under the microscope. But, some teams have extra players on the bench, bringing the actual figure closer to 65%. With every team in the hot seat, things are looking shaky in the competitive world of the VCS.
Here is the updated list of the suspended players:
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.
Impact on esports reputation
Although the VCS doesn't quite make it to LoL's top four league regions (Korea, China, North America, and Europe), it's a key participant in the global esports scene. Over time, its teams have often exceeded expectations at international tournaments, securing extra places in recent world championships.
Responses to the investigation in Western leagues have been diverse. Esports manager Chris Smith, well-known on NA broadcasts, shared his disbelief about the scandal. He's worried that this controversy might severely damage the reputation of the Vietnamese Esports scene.
In contrast, Isaac Cummings Bentley, who has commented on many games alongside Smith, noted a likely link between match-fixing in the region and players' financial struggles.
He suggested that players' salaries not covering basic needs can push them to other ways to make money. Bentley emphasized that this is often seen in games and leagues where the financial rewards are not sufficient.
There's a lot of talk about how these allegations could shake up one of the major players in the esports world. People wonder if we might end up with a League filled with replacement players who might be unable to keep up with the chosen lineup.
There's also some gossip that Riot might merge the series with another region, similar to how the Oceanian League was merged with the NA LCS.
Two teams, Rainbow Warriors and MGN Blue Esports, revealed on Reddit that they are under investigation and will stop competition for now.
Team Whales ended its agreement with members BeanJ and Gloryy, as they requested, and both are eager to prove their innocence. Cerberus Esports believes their players are not guilty and plans to work hand in hand with the committee to show that.
There's uncertainty surrounding the VCS's involvement in the upcoming MSI due to its recent issues. But, the league’s organizers assure us that they will provide updates about the resumption of the competition soon.
