TOP Esports Jungler Admits to Match-Fixing in LPL Playoffs

TOP Esports has confirmed that its jungler, Yang “Naiyou” Zi-Jian, admitted to intentionally throwing games during the LPL Winter Playoffs. The scandal erupted after the team's elimination, prompting an internal investigation triggered by suspicious in-game behavior observed by teammates, including the mid laner Lin “Creme” Jian. Examples include building inappropriate items (such as full magic resistance on Skarner against physical damage dealers) and purchasing duplicate non-stacking components, which visibly hampered performance in critical moments.

Head coach Chang “Poppy” Po-Hao addressed the issue in a livestream, expressing frustration and revealing the admission:

“This makes me very angry. Think about our results. How far could we have gone?”

Reports indicate Naiyou confessed to match-fixing in every game TOP Esports lost during the playoffs. The player, promoted from the LDL (League of Legends Developmental League), where prior integrity issues have occurred, has been reported to the LPL for violations of competitive integrity. TOP Esports is now seeking a replacement jungler ahead of the next split.

No official statement has come from Riot Games or the LPL league office yet, but the case has intensified concerns about ongoing integrity problems in the LPL, a major global esports market with substantial betting volume on international platforms.

Key Takeaways

• Integrity Risk to Betting Markets: Match-fixing admissions erode confidence in League of Legends outcomes, potentially leading operators to limit or void markets on affected teams/players and increasing scrutiny from integrity monitors.
• Broader LPL Implications: Repeated scandals, especially involving LDL promotions, highlight systemic challenges in China's premier LoL scene, which could affect global betting liquidity and the reliability of LoL event odds.
• Operator Vigilance Needed: Esports betting providers must enhance monitoring partnerships (e.g., with ESIC) and their anomaly-detection capabilities to protect markets in high-volume regions such as Asia.

This incident underscores the persistent challenge of maintaining competitive fairness in major esports leagues, where betting interest is high in markets such as Europe, Asia, and Brazil. While Riot Games has historically enforced strict anti-corruption policies, cases like this test its enforcement mechanisms and may prompt tighter oversight or collaboration with bodies such as the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC). For operators, it reinforces the need for robust integrity frameworks to sustain long-term market health and player trust in non-US regions.

Sources: Esports.gg, E4Equip.com