Look Sports Media – The competitive Valorant scene has been rocked by a significant integrity breach, as Seungmin ‘Ban’ Oh, a name ironically mirroring his current predicament, faces a twelve-month suspension from all sanctioned Riot Games esports events. This severe penalty comes after a comprehensive investigation by Riot Games concluded that the former Global Esports player was involved in match-fixing discussions.
The ruling, announced on December 18, 2025, stems from an inquiry into a VCT Pacific match held on July 19, 2025, between Global Esports and Team Secret. Riot’s findings indicate that Ban engaged with external parties, entertaining proposals for match manipulation that included explicit financial incentives, communicated through private messages. This incident casts a shadow over the competitive integrity of the VCT Pacific circuit, even as a prior Riot investigation found no conclusive evidence of match-fixing in North America despite various allegations.
While Ban maintains he never intentionally underperformed or intended to fix the match outcome, Riot’s disciplinary committee emphasized that the act of participating in such discussions alone constitutes a severe violation of competitive rules. The official ruling clarified: "Engaging with individuals who propose match manipulation and agreeing to their terms to fix a match is in itself a violation, whether or not the manipulation is ultimately carried out." This stance underscores Riot’s zero-tolerance policy against any actions that could undermine the fairness of its esports ecosystem.
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The investigation was partly triggered by an online post on August 27, 2025, which featured unverified screenshots allegedly depicting these private communications. Although Riot, in collaboration with integrity partner SportRadar, could not definitively authenticate these screenshots, extensive document reviews and witness testimonies provided sufficient evidence to confirm Ban’s involvement in match-fixing activities.
In determining the twelve-month ban, Riot Games acknowledged several mitigating factors, notably Ban’s decision to self-report the misconduct before formal disciplinary proceedings commenced. Beyond serving his suspension, Ban is mandated to complete comprehensive educational training focused on integrity and ethics within sports and esports, a prerequisite for his eventual return to professional play.
Global Esports, Ban’s former team, issued a statement following Riot’s decision. The organization confirmed that Ban had already departed their roster in November, a move likely influenced by the ongoing investigation. Global Esports unequivocally condemned the player’s actions, stating their firm opposition to such behavior and reaffirming their commitment to competitive integrity. The organization also indicated that their primary focus has now shifted towards preparations for the upcoming 2026 season, looking to move past the controversy.
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