Look Sports Media – Riot Games has officially responded to explosive allegations of match-fixing and cheating within Valorant Challengers North America, following a damning exposé by Shopify Rebellion’s Sean "sgares" Gares. Gares’ nearly hour-long video, "The Dark Side of Competitive Valorant," detailed claims of underground gambling rings influencing matches in the region’s second tier. The video, still publicly available on looksports.media, focused on a user named "bray," allegedly tempting players to throw matches for financial gain. Specific accusations target former Blue Otters players Adam "Fair" Elharoun and Bob "Bob" Tran, with Gares presenting evidence suggesting intentional match-throwing against Shopify Rebellion and Burger Boys.
In a statement released shortly after Gares’ video, Riot’s Global Head of Valorant Esports, Leo Faria, confirmed that internal investigations are underway, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations. Faria acknowledged the role of whistleblowers like Gares but stressed the need for evidence-based investigations, cautioning that public sharing of information could compromise the process. Riot has engaged integrity partners including IBIA, Sportradar, and GRID to ensure a thorough investigation.
The fallout has already begun. FlyQuest RED, Bob Tran’s current team, swiftly benched him pending their own internal investigation. This decision, however, sparked controversy, given FlyQuest’s recent handling of a separate incident involving transphobic remarks by a Marvel Rivals player. The lack of immediate punishment in that case has drawn criticism, highlighting inconsistencies in the organization’s approach to player misconduct.
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The situation underscores the growing challenges faced by Riot Games in maintaining the integrity of its competitive Valorant scene. The coming weeks will be crucial as Riot’s investigation unfolds, determining the extent of the alleged match-fixing and the consequences for those involved. The esports community watches with bated breath, hoping for swift and decisive action to restore faith in the competitive landscape.
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