Two League pros suspended for suspected match-fixing in Ultraliga

The Ultraliga has suspended two pros for suspected match-fixing as even viewers pointed out how blatant it seemed like the players were trying to lose.

Iron Wolves and Team ESCA played an Ultraliga match on January 23, 2024, that many called out as suspicious. Some even called what the Iron Wolves were doing on the Rift “win trading.”

League of Legends esports has a long history of match-fixing and win-trading across its various leagues around the world. China and Europe have both had scandals involving players throwing official matches for profit.

Two Chinese players, jungler Wen ‘kylin’ Zheng and mid-laner Shuai ‘Odin’ Wang, are at the center of the allegations in the Polish league as they have both been suspended following their Week 2 match against ESCA.

Ultraliga pros suspended after accusations of match-fixing fly

In a statement made the day following the match, Ultraliga said that it is cooperating with Riot Games and Sportsradar to investigate the situation to see if the match was manipulated by the two players.

“We have decided to suspend players kylin and Odin for the next two games. This suspension also results in forfeiting today’s match against devils.one by default, as Iron Wolves do not have players to fill their spots. This is the maximum penalty we as a league can impose on players,” the league said on social media.

The league cited Section 17.1.1. of the ERL rulebook which says: “Teams are expected to play at their best at all times within any League Match and to avoid any behavior that potentially threatens the actual or perceived integrity of competition or that is otherwise inconsistent with the principles of good sportsmanship, honesty, or fair play.”

The next match that the two will be able to play in will take place on January 31, 2024, against Back2TheGame. Ultraliga has a direct path toward the European Masters tournament and is considered one of the top leagues in the region.

Iron Wolves put out a statement of their own, saying that the team is cooperating with the investigation and condemning the “unprofessional behavior” of the two players accused in the match.

“Completely unacceptable and we have taken precautions to prevent anything like that from happening in the future,” the team said on social media.