As the SEA DPC kicks off a new season, ten Dota 2 pros have gotten permanent bans from Valve after investigations surfaced evidence of match fixing and collusion.
The initial announcement simply named Team Orca as being disqualified from the DPC SEA Spring Tour, with further information to follow. That meant their slot was freed up for an additional closed qualifier, with Thailand’s Team UDV eventually securing their Division II spot.
Once that was finalized, the details on the permanent bans were then provided, listing the Dota 2 pros who will no longer be able to compete in Valve events. Team Orca had used Team Apex accounts to compete on Apex’s behalf, while Team Orca had also done match fixing in the Beyond the Summit Pro Series and other 3rd party tournaments.
- vtFaded – Cheng Jia Hao
- 闷油瓶 – Wang Liang (王亮)
- Yif – Zhou Yifu (周一夫)
- citrus (AhJit) – Lai Jay Son
- Gy – Wang Kok Guan
- Hunghung – Bùi Văn Hùng
- BrayaNt – Pang Jian Zhe
- QWE – Namir Mohammad
- Datbb – Nguyễn Thành Đạt
- JJ – 杨俊杰
Many fans are especially disappointed at AhJit and vtFaded, both having had a stint at the highly coveted The International. vtFaded had actually gotten a temporary ban that was lifted post The International 10, but now he no longer has further chances. Datbb and BrayaNt have been around the SEA circuit themselves.
Match fixing and collusion certainly deserve harsh punishments to preserve the integrity of the professional scene. It’s a pity that the talent has gone to waste. You might see some claiming that the weakness of the “lower divisions” have pushed them into desperate situations, but the fact remains that their actions are against the rules, and that’s that.