League of Legends Pro Suspended in Betting Scandal: A Deep Dive into the LPL Investigation
URGENT: The competitive League of Legends scene is reeling after Funplus Phoenix (FPX) indefinitely suspended jungler Cai ‘MilkyWay’ Zi-jun following accusations of leaking confidential team information. This breaking news, impacting the prestigious League Pro League (LPL), raises serious concerns about competitive integrity and potential betting fraud. This story is developing and Archyde is committed to bringing you the latest updates as they unfold. The incident highlights the growing vulnerability of esports to external pressures and the need for robust safeguards.
Credit: Funplus Phoenix
The Allegations: Leaked Drafts and Potential Betting Impact
The suspension stems from a report received by FPX alleging that MilkyWay disclosed details about his former team, Royal Never Give Up’s (RNG), draft strategies during the 2024 Demacia Cup. Screenshots circulating on Weibo appear to show the player revealing potential champion picks before matches, potentially allowing individuals to exploit this information for betting purposes. RNG performed poorly in the tournament, failing to win a single game in the group stage, which fueled speculation about the timing and impact of the alleged leaks.
The LPL takes competitive integrity extremely seriously. If proven, this isn’t simply a breach of team trust; it’s a potential criminal act. Match manipulation, particularly when linked to betting, carries severe penalties, including lifetime bans – a precedent the LPL has established in previous cases. The stakes are incredibly high for MilkyWay and the future of his professional career.
FPX’s Response and the Broader LPL Context
FPX acted swiftly, immediately suspending MilkyWay from all team activities and reporting the incident to LPL officials. Their official statement, released on August 11th, 2025, emphasized their zero-tolerance policy towards unethical behavior. “We do not tolerate harmful voices and we will not tolerate any violation or illegal behavior of anyone,” the statement read. “FPX Esports Club firmly resists in any form of unjust competitive behavior and works with the League to protect an environment of fair, fair and healthy eSport.”
This isn’t an isolated incident within FPX. In 2021, Zhou ‘bo’ yang-bo faced a suspension for alleged match-fixing, ultimately leading to his departure from the team and a move to the LEC. This history adds another layer of scrutiny to the organization and raises questions about internal oversight. The LPL, as one of the most competitive and watched League of Legends leagues globally, is constantly battling to maintain its reputation for fairness.
The Growing Threat of Betting Manipulation in Esports
The rise of esports betting has created a new set of challenges for leagues and organizations. The relatively young demographic of esports fans, combined with the accessibility of online betting platforms, makes the scene particularly vulnerable to manipulation. Unlike traditional sports, the lack of established regulatory frameworks in many regions further complicates the issue.
Evergreen Insight: Protecting the integrity of esports requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes enhanced monitoring of player communications, stricter penalties for violations, increased education for players about the risks of match-fixing, and collaboration with betting operators to identify and report suspicious activity. The LPL’s ongoing investigation is a crucial step in demonstrating its commitment to these principles.
The LPL investigation is currently underway, and the results will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences. The esports community is watching closely, hoping for a swift and decisive resolution that reinforces the principles of fair play and protects the integrity of the game we all love. Archyde will continue to provide updates on this developing story, offering in-depth analysis and expert commentary.
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