The MPL Philippines Operating Committee slapped huge fines to Nexplay Evos and Omega Esports over the controversial series between the two teams on the last day of the regular season.
The league announced the results of its investigations days after the bizarre series between NXPE and Omega that saw the two teams play unusual strategies and record lopsided scores in its Games 1 and 2.
“During the Game 1 and 2 of NXPE VS OMG in Week 7 Day 3, issues surrounding the competitive integrity of both teams occurred. This led to a bad influence between the community, hurting the league and all eight teams included,” said MPL PH in a statement.
MPL decided to fine both Omega and Nexplay with over P150,000 penalty for violating sections 12.1.1.2 Competitive Integrity and 12.1.5 Professional Manner.
Here’s how the two sections mentioned read in the MPL rule book.
12.1.1.2 Competitive Integrity. Teams are expected to play at their best at all times within any MPL Game, and to avoid any behavior inconsistent with the principles of good sportsmanship, honesty, or fair play. For the sake of clarity, team composition and the pick/ban phase will not be considered when determining whether this rule has been violated
12.1.5 Professional Manner. Players are expected to compete in a professional manner. Throwing a match, halting play without cause, or showing a flagrant lack of effort will be construed as a violation of player conduct, and will result in match penalties, forfeit and disqualification from the League.
Aside from the fines, players from both Omega and NXPE are disqualified to be part of Season 8’s personal award selections and were given serious warning from the committee.
Robert Remar “Hito” Candoy, Christian “Raizen” Sumagui, Billy “Z4pnu” Alfonso, Dian “Dian” Cruz and Romiere “Allidap” Padilla were the players disqualified for Omega while Tristan “Yawi” Cabrera, Renejay “RENEJAY” Barcase, John Paul “H2wo” Salonga, Jeniel “YellyHaze” Bata-Anon and Setsuna “Dogie” Ignacio took the sanction from NXPE.
Dogie was also slapped with a separate P25,000 fine for making a prohibited pose after the match. He will also be suspended for NXPE’s next two matches.
“We want to reinforce that competitive integrity is one of our core values as a league. Any team or player is subject to the rulebook and guidelines as stipulated within, and they must take full ownership and accountability of what they've done,” the statement read.
“We will continuously strive towards becoming one of, if not the best, MOBA esports leagues and we will not let these incidents dampen the joy of competing.”