Chinese language StarCraft II (SC2) participant Xue ‘Firefly’ Tao has been provisionally suspended from competing in tournaments.
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) dominated that Firefly will now not compete on the Esports World Cup.
Though the investigation from ESIC is ongoing, Firefly’s suspension and elimination from the Esports World Cup lineup has resulted in Huang ‘Lancer’ Min incomes a spot on the fundamental occasion going down from July twenty second to twenty fifth, 2025 at Boulevard Metropolis Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Lancer, competing for Chinese language organisation JD Gaming, completed runner-up to Firefly within the Asia Qualifier. As a substitute of incomes a spot on the occasion’s International Qualifier, he has joined the 18-player lineup that can compete for a $700,000 (~£515,196) prize pool.
“Following a preliminary investigation by the Esports Integrity Fee, ESIC has suggested all event operators that StarCraft II competitor Xue ‘Firefly’ Tao has been provisionally suspended from competitors pending finalisation of the investigation,” acknowledged the Esports World Cup in a social media post.
With Lancer now not competing within the International Qualifier, Taiwanese participant Lemon will advance to the qualifier going down from June twenty first to twenty second. A complete of 4 gamers from the qualifier will earn a spot on the fundamental occasion.
“Because of the quantity and high quality of proof ESIC has obtained, ESIC has issued Firefly with a provisional suspension pending conclusion of its investigation into breaches of the ESIC Integrity Programme,” mentioned the fee. Particulars of the breaches weren’t disclosed.
Why Has Firefly Been Suspended From StarCraft II Esports?
In line with a put up on Chinese language discussion board scboy, printed by former participant Cao ‘Jim’ Jinhui, he and Firefly allegedly participated in match-fixing beginning in 2023.
In latest weeks, Jim claims Firefly owed him cash and has refused to reimburse the previous participant, leading to Jim reporting Firefly and releasing alleged proof of match-fixing.
ESIC has already distributed punishments for match fixing in 2025. In Might, gamers and workers from ATOX Esports obtained bans starting from eight months to lifetime suspensions.
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