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LPL / LEAGUE OF LEGENDS

Naiyou (Top Esports) banned for life for match-fixing

In March 2026 the LPL banned Top Esports (TES) jungler Yang "Naiyou" Zi-Jian for life after an investigation triggered by TES itself. Per several esports outlets, Naiyou admitted deliberately losing every game TES lost in the playoffs. TES terminated his contract and withheld all unpaid salary and bonuses.

Resolved Started Updated

At a glance

Status
Disciplinary decision issued
Sanction
Lifetime ban from Tencent, TJ Sports and Riot events
Wider probe
LPL says it will keep investigating

Timeline

  1. Events

    TES vs WBG raises suspicion

    Naiyou's abnormal in-game behaviour in TES's match against WBG raised the team's suspicions.

  2. Decisions

    TES reports; LPL suspends provisionally

    Top Esports reported the matter to the LPL. Naiyou was provisionally suspended and the LPL set up a special investigation team.

  3. Notices

    Admission during the investigation made public

    Per esports outlets, Naiyou admitted during the investigation that he deliberately threw every game TES lost in the playoffs. This was made public alongside the disciplinary decision; the exact date of the admission was not published.

  4. Decisions

    LPL issues a lifetime ban

    The LPL found Naiyou breached Articles 12.1.1.1 and 13.1.1 of the competition rules: a lifetime ban effective immediately, loss of all official honours, and a bar from any professional or semi-professional competition organized by Tencent, TJ Sports and Riot Games in any region and any capacity.

  5. Decisions

    TES terminates the contract

    TES terminated his contract, withheld all unpaid salary, prize money and team benefits, and reserved the right to pursue breach-of-contract claims.

Where each side stands

LPL

  • Breaches of Articles 12.1.1.1 and 13.1.1.
  • Lifetime ban; "the disciplinary team will continue to investigate".
Hotspawn →

Top Esports

  • Detected and reported the case itself.
  • Terminated the contract, withheld pay and reserved legal action.

Naiyou

  • Per press reports, admitted during the investigation.
  • Scamany found no direct public statement from the player.

Open questions

  • Were any third parties or betting rings involved? The LPL has not said.
  • Will the affected playoff results be reviewed?
  • Sources list precedents differently: some call him the second LPL player banned for life (after Jay in 2022), others also cite Condi, WeiYan, Bo and milkyway.

Scamany compiles public sources and presents each side next to the others; nothing here is a finding by Scamany.

Impact

Top Esports

Self-reporting frames TES as a victim rather than complicit, but the team still lost results and reputation mid-season.

LPL and betting

The case highlights match-fixing risk in top leagues as esports betting markets grow.

Esports governance

The ban covers every Tencent, TJ Sports and Riot event worldwide, showing a trend towards cross-region enforcement.

People

Yang "Naiyou" Zi-Jian

Jungler, Top Esports (LPL)

Banned for life on 27 March 2026; contract terminated by TES.

No freely licensed photo; Scamany publishes none.

Top Esports (TES)

LPL team

Detected the issue and reported it to the LPL on 5 March 2026.

Sources

  1. LPL issues lifetime ban to naiyou following match-fixing case at Top Esports Sheep Esports · March 27, 2026
  2. TES Naiyou receives lifetime ban following matchfixing violations Hotspawn · March 27, 2026
  3. Naiyou handed lifetime ban by LPL amid match-fixing probe Dot Esports · March 27, 2026
  4. TES Naiyou permanently banned after 2026 LoL match fixing scandal Yahoo Sports / GameDaily · 2026-03
  5. Competitive integrity under pressure: Naiyou's lifetime ban Sports Litigation Alert · 2026
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