Chinese jungler Cai “Milkyway” Zi-Jun has been handed a lifetime ban from competitive League of Legends in the LPL, according to Spanish outlet ChinaGAP in a post published this Wednesday, November 12. The player has been under investigation since August 13 for alleged match-fixing and draft leaks during the 2024 Demacia Cup, a period when he was representing Royal Never Give Up. According to multiple screenshots circulating on Weibo, Milkyway allegedly shared confidential draft information with third parties, allowing some individuals to place bets on the matches.

Amid the growing scandal and mounting attention on social media, Milkyway publicly responded on his Weibo account a day later to proclaim his innocence. He stated that he had retained legal counsel to organize his defense and address the matter through proper legal channels. The Chinese jungler also released an official statement presenting his version of events, claiming to possess screenshots and other pieces of evidence to clear his name. In that message, he denounced what he described as fabricated testimonies and doctored materials intended to damage his reputation and career.

A scandal in multiple phases

FunPlus Phoenix, reported the situation to the authorities and handed the entire case over to the police, as confirmed in their official statement following Milkyway’s suspension in mid-August. According to well-known LPL insider 召唤师Park, Milkyway allegedly admitted to certain actions in private conversations with the organization or his teammates, though he continues to publicly deny wrongdoing, notably through a letter issued by his lawyer.

Park further noted that the LPL’s silence on the matter might stem from a desire not to interfere with the ongoing legal process, with the league waiting for formal conclusions before making any public announcement regarding disciplinary measures. If the investigation confirms these findings and the LPL upholds the reported sanction, Milkyway would become the first player in China’s top division ever to receive a permanent ban from the league.