The realm of esports, particularly within the League of Legends community, is currently facing a monumental scandal. The Vietnam Championship Series (VCS), a major esports league known for its fierce competition and talented players, has recently been engulfed by allegations of match-fixing, putting the integrity of the competition into question.
Last week, in an unprecedented move, Riot Games, the organizer behind the VCS, suspended the league's playoffs and finals to delve into claims that several teams were involved in match-fixing. This decision underscores the severity of the situation and its potential implications for the competitive landscape of the game.
In a dramatic response to these allegations, all eight teams from the tournament were summoned to the VCS broadcast studio for a thorough investigation. Subsequently, a shocking announcement was made: 32 players across these teams were temporarily barred from participating in the league.
An Unsettling Revelation
The investigation revealed a staggering figure—up to 80% of players in the VCS are now under scrutiny for possibly manipulating match outcomes. The list of suspended players spans across all teams, illustrating the widespread nature of this crisis:
- Rainbow Warriors: The team saw eight of its members including Ky Vuong / Raze and Hoang Nghia / HinieeeC being suspended.
- GAM Esports: Players Đỗ Đình Sang / Blazes and Lê Viết Huy / Pyshiro are among those suspended.
- Team Flash: Faces the suspension of five of its players, including Lê Minh Dũng / Dzung and Đinh Bùi Quốc Cường / Marcus.
- Team Secret: Hoàng Công Nghĩa / Eddie and Quách Khánh Hoàng / Qiang have been suspended.
- Vikings Esports: Has four players suspended, including Lương Hải Long / Gury and Nguyễn Vũ Khang Nguyên / Bunn.
- Cerberus Esports: Faces suspension for four of its players.
- MGN Blue Esports: Five of its players have been temporarily barred from the league.
- Team Whales: Announced the suspension of Trần Văn Chính / BeanJ and Lê Ngọc Vinh / Gloryy.
The repercussions of this scandal extend far beyond player suspensions. The reputation of the VCS as a cornerstone of the global esports scene is now at risk. Chris Smith, a notable esports manager, expressed his dismay at the unfolding events, fearing the potential lasting damage to Vietnamese esports. Similarly, Isaac Cummings Bentley, a seasoned commentator alongside Smith, highlighted the financial struggles faced by players in the region as a potential catalyst for this scandal. He pointed out that inadequate player salaries might drive individuals towards unethical means of supplementing their income.
Looking Ahead
The future of the VCS remains uncertain amid these troubling developments. Discussions have surfaced about a possible merger with another regional league, taking a cue from the past merger between the Oceanian League and the NA LCS. Moreover, the Teams Rainbow Warriors and MGN Blue Esports have publicly acknowledged their investigations and have paused their participation in the competition. Following a mutual agreement, Team Whales has terminated its association with two players implicated in the scandal, all the while, Cerberus Esports stands by its players, believing in their innocence.
These revelations cast a long shadow over the VCS's role in the upcoming Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), creating an atmosphere of unpredictability. Nonetheless, the league’s organizers have assured fans and stakeholders that they are committed to resolving these issues and will soon provide updates regarding the resumption of the tournament.
This crisis poses a dire question about integrity within esports, a question that the VCS, its teams, and its players will have to confront head-on. As the investigation continues, the global esports community watches closely, awaiting resolutions that will hopefully restore the legitimacy and competitiveness of this beloved league.