Perhaps never before has Riot’s punishment sparked as much debate and discussion as it has at this moment following the match-fixing drama in VCS. The investigation has dragged on for far too long, with sanctions already imposed on a large number of individuals, yet many questions and new developments surrounding the case remain. Recently, BeanJ has reportedly claimed innocence, and those involved with this player have submitted numerous pieces of evidence to Riot. Furthermore, another well-known player has even taken more drastic measures to clear their name.
This player is A. – once considered one of the most talented Mid Laners in VCS, having played for top teams like Lowkey Esports and Team Secret. In the recent major case of VCS, A. was sentenced to a 36-month ban for violating Article 3 of Riot Games’ Global Esports Code of Conduct (the offense of cheating and match-fixing). However, like BeanJ, A. has also spoken out, claiming innocence. In fact, he even sent an email to Riot APAC, and the attached documents included bank statement records and salary receipts as evidence.
As one of the players who debuted during the VCS era with only initial achievements, A. has always been regarded as one of the least dramatic players. However, controversy began to surround the former TS star when behind-the-scenes images revealed that A. often reacted quite vehemently to some directives from coaches. Nevertheless, his inclusion on the banned list for match-fixing has surprised many.
Moreover, A. is currently the only player with publicly shared images of submitting evidence to Riot to contest the investigation results and sanctions. However, up to now, Riot has not made any further statements or announcements regarding the cases of VCS players claiming innocence. Hence, regardless of what happens, it is increasingly clear that these players will likely part ways with VCS for at least the Summer 2024 season, especially as teams have begun finalizing their rosters in preparation for the crucial upcoming season.