Riot Games responds to match-fixing allegations in VALORANT
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Asharq Al-Awsat
20-07-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Masked Rioters Attack Highway in Central France
Dozens of masked assailants wielding metal bars and Molotov cocktails attacked cars on a highway and clashed with police Saturday in the city of Limoges in central France, officials said. The overnight clashes left 10 police wounded, according to authorities, who said they suspect a gang turf war. The unrest came in the middle of France's summer tourism season. The armed attackers descended on the RN141 highway and tried to block it during a battle with police, according to officials. "There were between 100 and 150 masked individuals, armed with Molotov cocktails, fireworks, stones, iron bars and baseball bats," local police union leader Laurent Nadeau told AFP. Police responded with tear gas and crowd-control munitions. Mayor Emile Roger Lombertie called the rioters an "urban guerrilla group". "They're organized, structured, there's a plan, weapons," he said. "This was not a spontaneous protest to complain about something. No pretext, nothing. It's about destroying things and showing the territory belongs to you," Lombertie added. Prosecutors said vehicles were attacked but there were no immediate reports of wounded drivers. Unrest had erupted nearby, in Val de l'Aurence, on the night of July 14, France's national day. Lombertie said this "very poor neighborhood, with young people from immigrant backgrounds" had become a "lawless zone". France's interior ministry announced on Saturday plans to deploy a special security force to the city.
Saudi Gazette
06-07-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Riot Games joins Esports World Cup 2025
THE ES TIMES — The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) announced a three-year global partnership with Riot Games, including VALORANT officially joining the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 lineup. League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics will also return for another year of top-level competition. A Major Step Toward the Future of Competitive Gaming This partnership is more than just an announcement; it represents a true commitment to the future of esports globally. As a follower of Riot's titles since their inception,seeing these games take center stage in Riyadh is exciting. VALORANT will make its debut at EWC outside of the VCT format, while League of Legends will host a major international event, and TFT will highlight the best players in a unique team format. Expanding Esports' Global Impact With 23 tournaments confirmed across 22 titles so far, EWC 2025 aims to be the largest event in esports history. Games span genres such as FPS, MOBA, Battle Royale, Strategy, and Fighting Games. The addition of VALORANT further cements EWC's position as a premier hub for elite gaming. This three-year agreement ensures Riot Games' biggest titles will be on the global scene for years to come. Early Commencement of Commercial Cooperation As part of the agreement, EWCF will be commercially linked to Riot Games' major tournaments, such as LoL Esports, VALORANT Champions Tour, and TFT 2025. EWC and Riot Games' collaboration officially begun during the VCT Masters Bangkok on February 20, 2025, with EWC-branded on-site activities at Riot Games' global physical events, further enhancing the global esports presence and increasing engagement with Valorant and League of Legends fans. Riot's Cultural Influence Gains Global Recognition Fabian Scheuermann, Head of Gaming at the EWCF, praised Riot's role in shaping the modern esports landscape: 'With the legendary League of Legends World Championship, VALORANT cultural collaborations, and community-driven TFT events, Riot has built an ecosystem that goes beyond competition. By bringing these titles to the Esports World Cup, we're not just celebrating the highest levels of play—we're together expanding the esports movement globally.' His words echo what many in the gaming community, including myself, feel: Riot's influence extends beyond gaming. Legendary Moments Back in Riyadh Last year, League of Legends achieved a momentous moment when T1, led by Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, won the final in front of 12.5 million viewers. In Teamfight Tactics, Wolves Esports defeated T1 3-1, led by Li "LiShao" Chengyu. EWC 2025: A Celebration of Esports Culture Riyadh will once again host the Esports World Cup 2025, bringing together gaming communities from around the world. From casual observers to hardcore fans, there's something for everyone. Mehdi Belhamra – Esports and Gaming writer
Saudi Gazette
06-07-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Riot Games responds to match-fixing allegations in VALORANT
THE ES TIMES — I've recently been following the escalating controversy rocking the VALORANT scene in North America. Riot Games has issued an official response to the mounting allegations of match-fixing, cheating, and integrity violations within Challengers NA competitions. Statement from Riot's Global Head of VALORANT Esports Leo Faria, the global head of VALORANT Esports, addressed the matter through the VCT X account, confirming that Riot Games takes these allegations very seriously. According to Faria, Riot began gathering information immediately after the reports surfaced in early May. To further the process, Riot Games enlisted the help of several integrity partners, including IBIA, Sportradar, and GRID, to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation. To date, Riot has not confirmed conclusive evidence. Investigating Carefully "We are thoroughly investigating all allegations," Faria said. He added that community input is welcome, but only credible evidence will inform decisions. He emphasized the importance of whistleblowers and community awareness, but reminded that legal action must be a priority. Riot also encouraged anyone with credible information to report it directly. The statement read: "If someone approaches you with information regarding misconduct, don't react—report it immediately." I personally like this approach, as it sets a strong example for professionally handling complex issues. The Controversy Began:Gares' Revealing Video The crisis escalated after Sean Gares, the general manager of Shopify Rebellion, posted a video titled "The Dark Side of Competitive VALORANT." He focused on a user named "bray," accusing him of paying players to intentionally lose matches. He also linked him to cryptocurrency-related groups rumored to be run by a person known as Cooker. Both parties denied the accusations. Bray wrote: "I didn't do anything. I have nothing to do with any of this. Stop posting about me." While Cooker tweeted that he doesn't "engage in any manipulation or anything like that." Accusations against professional players Gares also presented what he believes is potential evidence implicating Adam "Fair" Elharoun and Bob "Bob" Tran, who currently play for FlyQuest RED. According to him, they intentionally lost a match against Burger Boys and cheated in another match against Shopify Rebellion. He also mentioned that two other teams may have been involved, but chose not to name them, citing a desire to "protect people." FlyQuest RED's reaction In response to the accusations, FlyQuest RED has decided to temporarily suspend Bob. The team will field a replacement player while an internal investigation is conducted. The team's statement read: "We have been informed of the situation and will take the necessary time to evaluate everything." However, this decision has drawn criticism from the gaming community, with some pointing out that Marvel Rivals player Cooper 'coopertastic' remains on the FlyQuest roster, despite his offensive statements, which included transphobic and sexist slurs. Looking Ahead As the investigation continues, attention is focused on the actions of the individuals and organizations involved. Riot's approach appears balanced and, hopefully, leads to a fair resolution. With the rapid growth of the esports industry, competitive integrity must remain a top priority. Raouf Belhamra – Esports and Gaming writer
