Lifetime ban for League of Legends jungler Naiyou after match-fixing scandal
The League of Legends scene has been rocked by one of its biggest scandals after professional jungler Naiyou admitted to match-fixing during the LPL playoffs. The Chinese player, who joined Top Esports in late 2025, received a lifetime ban on 27 March 2026, sparking outrage and demands for stricter integrity measures across esports.
Fans and analysts described the case as unprecedented in recent *LoL* history, with no comparable scandals reported in other major titles like *Counter-Strike* or *Dota 2* over the past three years.
Naiyou's suspicious in-game actions first raised concerns. During critical playoff matches, he made baffling decisions, including purchasing incorrect items and making uncharacteristic mistakes. These red flags led Top Esports to report his behaviour to League of Legends officials.
An investigation by Riot Games uncovered multiple serious violations of competitive rules. The findings confirmed deliberate manipulation of match outcomes for personal gain. As a result, Naiyou was permanently barred from all professional and semi-professional competitions under Riot Games, Tencent, and TJ Sports. Top Esports responded swiftly by terminating his contract with immediate effect. The organisation also withheld his pending salaries and prize money. Additionally, Naiyou forfeited all past titles, awards, and honours earned during his career. Before his arrival in November 2025, Top Esports had secured a 3rd–4th place finish at Worlds. The scandal now overshadows the team's recent achievements, leaving questions about its future performance.
The lifetime ban marks the end of Naiyou's professional career, while the wider League of Legends community continues to push for reforms. Top Esports has lost a key player and faces financial and reputational consequences. Meanwhile, the case highlights ongoing challenges in esports, including gender bias against female pros and the need for stronger anti-corruption safeguards.
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