Following an ongoing investigation into the Totoro Gaming & ShanXi Gaming match during a past third-party tournament, VALORANT Esports has ruled that members of Totoro Gaming, Underdog, and Invincible have violated one or more of Rules 7.2.1, 7.2.2, 7.2.3, and 7.2.4 of the VALORANT Global Competition Policy associated with the manipulation of the outcome of a competitive VALORANT match for monetary gain.
The involved individuals will receive penalties based on their level of culpability and their level of cooperation with the investigation.
After becoming aware of allegations of match-fixing in the past third-party tournament match between Totoro Gaming & ShanXi gaming, VALORANT Esports immediately launched an investigation into the matter.
Riot’s investigation found that there was late pre-match betting, including wagers for Totoro Gaming to lose at least one map and for at least three total maps to be played, that raised a credible level of concern from an integrity perspective in the particular match between Totoro Gaming & ShanXi gaming. Members of team Underdog were also identified as persons of interest during the course of the investigation.
The investigation uncovered evidence that the match between Totoro Gaming & ShanXi gaming in the targeted third-party tournament was manipulated, and that several members of Totoro Gaming received monetary compensation as a result of the match manipulation. The investigation further uncovered evidence of other cases of match manipulation and betting activities engaged in by members of team Underdog and team Invincible.
Maintaining the competitive integrity of VALORANT tournaments is Riot Games’ priority and such matters are taken extremely seriously. All players and coaches are expected to abide by the rules of fair play, and to observe the highest standards of personal integrity and good sportsmanship at all times. Unsportsmanlike behavior that violates the rules of fair play will not be tolerated by VALORANT Esports.
The severity of these penalties were reduced for individuals based on the level of culpability and their cooperation with the VALORANT Esports investigation. Penalties for roster members at the time are as follows:
Totoro Gaming Roster:
Hao “iSy” Xingyu is permanently suspended from all Riot esports for violating Rules 7.2.1 and 7.2.4.
Wang “Sylviaovo” Mingming is permanently suspended from all Riot esports for violating Rules 7.2.1 and 7.2.4.
Chen “cxy0714” Xingyu is suspended for 24 months from the original suspension date of September 20th, 2021 until September 19th, 2023 for violating Rules 7.2.1 and 7.2.4.
Yu “813” Zhaoheng is suspended for 18 months from the original suspension date of September 20th, 2021 until March 19th, 2023 for violating Rules 7.2.2, 7.2.3, and 7.2.4.
Ho “heybay” Shun Hei is suspended for 12 months from the original suspension date of September 20th, 2021 until September 19th, 2022 for violating Rules 7.2.1 and 7.2.4.
Yip “YOU” Man Ho is suspended for 12 months from the original suspension date of September 20th, 2021 until September 19th, 2022 for violating Rules 7.2.1 and 7.2.4.
Underdog Roster:
Zhang “yyang” Hongyu is suspended for 18 months from the original suspension date of September 20th, 2021 until March 19th, 2023 for violating Rules 7.2.1 and 7.2.4.
Wang “midnight” Yingjie is suspended for 18 months from the original suspension date of September 20th, 2021 until March 19th, 2023 for violating Rules 7.2.1 and 7.2.4.
Wong “Attention” Ka Fai is suspended for 18 months from the original suspension date of September 20th, 2021 until March 19th, 2023 for violating Rules 7.2.1 and 7.2.4.
Peng “PPQueen” Jiacheng is suspended for 9 months from the original suspension date of September 20th, 2021 until June 19th, 2022 for violating Rule 7.2.4.
Yang “Miracle” Zebin is suspended for 9 months from the original suspension date of September 20th, 2021 until June 19th, 2022 for violating Rule 7.2.4.
Yang “Edge” Yulin is suspended for 9 months from the original suspension date of September 20th, 2021 until June 19th, 2022 for violating Rule 7.2.4.
Invincible Roster:
Yu “9st/badplayer” Bo is suspended for 12 months from the original suspension date of September 22nd, 2021 until September 21st, 2022 for violating Rule 7.2.1.
Rules 7.2.1, 7.2.2, 7.2.3, and 7.2.4 of the VALORANT Global Competition Policy:
7.2.1 MATCH-FIXING
No Team Member may offer, agree, or conspire to fix a match or take any other action to intentionally and unfairly alter, or attempt to alter, the results of any game (or any play or component thereof). If a Team Member is asked to “fix” the outcome of a game or to otherwise take part in any actions prohibited by this Global Policy or the applicable Event-Specific Rules, that Team Member must immediately report this request to the Tournament Operator.
7.2.2 BRIBERY
No Team Member may offer any gift, cash, or other reward to a player, coach, manager, other Team Member, Competition Official, the Tournament Operator or any other person connected with or employed by another Team in order to influence the outcome of a game in an Official Competition.
7.2.3 GIFTS
No Team Member may accept any gift, reward or compensation from another Team or player (or anyone acting on behalf of another team or player) in connection with any Official Competition.
7.2.4 GAMBLING
Gambling on the outcome of a tournament, match or game in any esport competition (including any plays or components of a game) can pose a serious threat to the integrity of, and public confidence in, esports competitions. Team Members are not allowed to (a) place, or attempt to place, bets on any esports competition (or any plays or components thereof), or (b) associate with high volume gamblers, or deliver information to others that might influence their bets.