Fines are piling up across the esports world. Just one day after
sanctions were issued against Movistar KOI and Karmine Corp in the LEC, Riot Games announced disciplinary measures against
and
in the LPL.
“During the interactive segment of the LPL Spring Finals on June 3, BLG Esports player Bin failed to fulfill the obligations required for the event,” the league explained
in an official statement. “
This behavior was inconsistent with the professional standards expected of LPL players, disrupted the standardized operation of the competition, and negatively affected both the audience experience and the event atmosphere.”As shown in a clip widely shared on social media, the toplaner failed to greet fans before BLG's match against EDward Gaming. As a result, the LPL disciplinary committee determined that Bin had violated Article 12.2.2 of the
League of Legends Professional League Competition Rules and imposed a fine of 150,000 RMB — approximately €19,000 — on the reigning LPL champion. The player has also been ordered to attend a disciplinary and educational training program.
Significant sanctions
The organization itself, which, according to the committee, “also failed to properly supervise and manage its player, thereby violating the relevant management responsibilities outlined in the regulations”, received a smaller but still substantial fine of 50,000 RMB — approximately €6,350. Both the player and the organization were also issued formal warnings. According to the statement, following the incident, “both Chen Ze Bin and BLG Esports Club have acknowledged the issues involved and committed to conducting a thorough review and making the necessary corrections.”
While the ruling may appear severe compared to the sanctions handed down in the LEC the previous day (€5,000 fines for Movistar KOI and Karmine Corp, and €2,000 for
), it is far from the most significant punishment issued by the LPL this season. Earlier this year, following a much more serious case during the first split, Top Esports jungler Yang “naiyou” Zi-Jian
received a lifetime ban from competitive play for match-fixing.
Focus on the MSI
For BLG, the priority now will be ensuring that this episode does not distract Bin from the competition itself. The team currently finds itself in a difficult position
after falling to Team WE in the upper bracket of the playoffs. Although the First Stand champions dispatched EDward Gaming without much trouble (3-0) on Wednesday, the road to the Mid-Season Invitational remains filled with obstacles.
Their next challenge comes against JD Gaming on Saturday, potentially followed by a meeting with the winner of the LGD Gaming versus Anyone’s Legend series. MSI qualification would then be decided in the lower-bracket final against the loser of the Team WE versus Top Esports matchup.
