In a surprising turn of events, the regional League of Legends esports scene has been thrown into disarray due to a supposed match-fixing scandal. The Vietnam Championship Series (VCS), a pivotal player on the global stage of esports competitions, found itself in the spotlight last week for all the wrong reasons. The series was unexpectedly put on hold as allegations of match-fixing among the teams surfaced, leading to a delay in the playoffs and finals—an unprecedented move that has raised numerous questions and concerns.
Riot Games, the organizer behind VCS, took immediate action by summoning all eight teams participating in the tournament to the VCS broadcast studio for an in-depth investigation. Following this, a shocking announcement was made: the temporary suspension of 32 players across all teams. This suspension represents an extraordinary measure intended to maintain the integrity of the competition and reflects the severity of the situation at hand.
An Extensive Crisis
Reports suggest that as many as 80% of VCS players are currently under investigation for involvement in match-fixing. This staggering figure underscores the potential depth of the crisis within the VCS, suggesting systemic issues that go beyond individual transgressions. Below is the updated list of suspended players, spanning across several teams:
- 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.
The Ripple Effect on Esports Reputation
The unfolding scandal has thrown a spotlight on the reputational risk facing the larger League of Legends esports community. Chris Smith, an esports manager well-known for his commentary on North American broadcasts, expressed his disbelief at the scale and severity of the allegations. His concerns highlight a fear that the Vietnamese esports scene could suffer long-lasting damage as a result of these developments.
Isaac Cummings Bentley, another prominent figure in the esports commentary world, speculated on a potential underlying issue fueling the scandal: players' financial insecurities. He pointed out that when players struggle to meet basic needs with their salaries, they might be tempted to engage in illicit activities like match-fixing. This financial pinch is not uncommon in leagues where rewards and player support do not measure up to the demands of professional esports competition.
Speculation abounds regarding the future of the VCS, including the possibility of a merger with another regional league akin to the previous amalgamation of the Oceanian League with the North American LCS. This comes amid revelations from Rainbow Warriors and MGN Blue Esports on social platforms about their ongoing investigations and subsequent withdrawal from competitions. Meanwhile, Team Whales has terminated its agreements with members BeanJ and Gloryy, who are now seeking to clear their names independently.
Cerberus Esports stands out by staunchly defending their players, which illustrates the complex fabric of reactions and responses weaving through the VCS community. Amid this turmoil, there's palpable concern regarding the VCS's participation in the upcoming Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) and the long-term implications for the league's global standing.
As the investigation continues to unfold, the esports world watches closely. The promise of updates from the league's organizers offers some hope for clarity and resolution. However, what remains clear is the undeniable impact this scandal could have not just on the Vietnamese esports scene, but on the broader reputation and integrity of esports worldwide.