just LCK officially released the final investigation results of the LCK Steering Committee on the GRF case.
summarizes the official statement for everyone:
1. Representative Zhao was suspended indefinitely due to contract issues (disguised human trafficking).
2.Cvmax was suspended indefinitely, effective from November 21, for verbal abuse and violent treatment of players. (It was mentioned before that Cvmax would join the DRX team, but it seems that it is gone.) The entire
3.GRF team was fined 100 million Korean won (approximately 600,000 yuan) for neglecting internal problems.
4. Some improvement plans of the LCK Steering Committee
The original version is as follows:
Hello, this is the LCK Steering Committee ("Steering Committee").
Following the LCK Steering Committee’s interim statement on the Griffin case on October 29 (hereinafter referred to as the “Interim Announcement”), I would like to discuss the final ruling in the case.
After various investigations, the Steering Committee believes that the events that occurred in the LCK Alliance have been unfairly exploited and seriously damaged the reputation and core values of the LCK. There are many members in the LCK league, and team representatives, managers, and member positions naturally create hierarchy and "power" based on their positions. However, under no circumstances can the inappropriate use of this hierarchy and the resulting "power" be justified.
requires a lot of factors to keep (the LCK club) growing and be fair to the LCK's many esports fans, but an important one is that it's important to protect and take care of those who have a more harmonious relationship with the LCK members. I think this is essential. Therefore, the Steering Committee will not tolerate unfair treatment within the LCK League under any circumstances, and the "No Tolerance Principle" will be applied without exception if this principle is found to have crossed the line. This goes against the intentions of many esports fans and severely undermines the roots of the LCK league, where fairness is a core value.
As a result, the Steering Committee will alert the entire league in a keen spirit, and the following disciplinary actions will be taken:
Disciplinary Actions
Punishment Target: Former Ninth Generation South Representative (Zhao Kuinan)
Punishment Item: Indefinite Suspension
Punishment Effective Date: 2019 November 21, 2020
Regardless of whether the behavior of former Gyu-Nam Cho Griffin (formerly known as "Cho-Chi-Chi") falls into the category of "threatening crimes" or "forced crimes" under the Criminal Code, the authorities in the case have the right to rely on relevant laws and There is a trial process, and I think this is an area for the judiciary to make judgments.
However, the Steering Committee believes that it is the responsibility and obligation of the Steering Committee to develop a fair and sound alliance regardless of whether a criminal threat of "threatened crime" or "forced crime" has been established. Decisions to impose disciplinary sanctions against former representatives without the judgment of judicial authorities.
If there is any change in the status of a minor player, especially if the change relates to the legal rights/obligations of that player, the team leader is responsible for informing the minor player and his or her legal representative (parent) and obtaining their informed consent. It is then responsible for ensuring that necessary operations and procedures are followed. This is an act of reasonable request and expectation on behalf of the LCK team, where fairness is a core value.
In other words, if Su Jin-hyuk's parents agree that Suh Jin-hyuk, a minor, serves as a member under Griffin's protection, then Cho is the representative of the team, not only his parents, but also his Parents are also affected when tampering occurs. In addition, after transferring from the legal representative Griffin to another team, you should fully negotiate with the athlete's parents regarding the transfer conditions and transfer intentions, and obtain the necessary consent. However, former representatives should encourage compliance by clubs and take the lead in protecting athletes who are forced to carry out minor transfer procedures alone and unfairly impact minor athletes in making certain choices. Additionally, we determined that it severely damaged the reputation and fairness of the LCK.
In addition, in the process of sending Xu Zhenhe to JDG, Mr. Zhao actively participated in adding a clause to prevent the lease period from being included in the contract period. If the termination date of the contract changes, we will not fulfill our obligation to notify the Steering Committee.This clause prevents the rental period from being included in the contract period, thereby severely damaging the rights and interests of team members, because if team members lease, they may be bound by the contract with the original team without any restrictions. The actions of the former representatives who were actively involved in proposing and agreeing to these provisions cannot be understated and intentionally concealed these provisions from the Steering Committee by notifying the Steering Committee of the change in contract termination date. The Steering Committee considers this to be a significant violation or attempted violation of LCK regulations.
Taking into account the seriousness of the above-mentioned violations, the Steering Committee will "indefinitely suspend business travel" to the "former representative". As a result, "Delegation Joe" made it clear that he or she cannot participate in any way in esports organized and hosted by Riot Games (including the LCK).
Penalty Target: Former Bishop Kim Dae-ho Griffin (Cvmax)
Penalty Item: Indefinite Suspension
Penalty Effective Date: November 21, 2019
On October 29, the Steering Committee stated that it would continue to investigate allegations that were not included in the announcement and reports.
During the course of its investigation, the Steering Committee received reports that some former team members, ex-Kim Dae-ho Griffin ("Kim Jeon"), were engaging in verbal abuse and violence. The Steering Committee conducted an investigation based on witness statements from both parties as well as witnesses, which confirmed the fact that some coaches were accustomed to verbal abuse and violence.
No matter what, verbal abuse and violent behavior in the LCK league will not be tolerated. In particular, verbal abuse and violent behavior as a manager in the LCK league will not be tolerated. The players' testimonies and various understandings confirmed that the victims had been subjected to verbal abuse and violent behavior from Cvmax for a long time. Such verbal and violent behavior may violate Korean law prohibiting or at least unacceptable moral behavior.
In view of the seriousness of these actions, the Steering Committee will impose "the penalty of unlimited ban" on "Director Jin". As a result, "Kim Jeon" made it clear that he cannot participate in any way in esports events hosted or sponsored by Riot Games, including the LCK.
Penalty Target: (Team) Griffin
Penalty Item: Fined 100 million won
Penalty Effective Date: November 21, 2019 Officials of the
Griffin Team were directly involved or sat idly by "Chief Joe" and "Kim Mastermind" ” action, the Steering Committee accused the Griffin team and imposed a fine of 100 million won (approximately 600,000 yuan). Additionally, the Steering Committee will regularly review the overall operations and management of Team Griffin over the next year.
At the same time, if the same or similar violations are found again in the future, we will impose additional disciplinary sanctions up to and including "deseed" (disqualification from the league).
Improvement Plan
Through this unprecedented case, the Steering Committee has realized and reflected on the shortcomings of the LCK management. In order to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, we will take the following additional measures.
1. Major reorganization of the rental system.
has a new rental system since spring 2019. We introduced the rental system after careful consideration to help more players play on a field that is more suitable for them. We expect that the introduction of this system will allow more athletes to compete, improve their skills and improve their treatment, including salary.
However, we deeply agree with the concerns of many esports enthusiasts that the rental system may be abused in this situation, and we are considering supplementing various institutional means to improve the situation.
Therefore, we will listen to the opinions of the current rental system and improvement plans together with team members, participants, and other LCK members, and develop improvements. We are also considering abolishing the tenancy system if the debate does not lead to significant improvements to the tenancy system.
2. Strengthen the protection of underage athletes
Before signing a contract with an underage athlete, we will ensure that the Steering Committee is notified, and we will also improve a completely new system to discuss all changes related to players in advance with legal representatives.
These measures will be more stringent in the league approval process, and minor players will be managed and trained separately.
3. Major reorganization of LCK League Regulations
We will thoroughly review the relevant regulations and contracts of the LCK, such as the "LCK League Regulations Manual", "Team Participation Agreement" and "GPI" to completely remedy the flaws and deficiencies.
During the review process, we have made protecting athlete rights our top priority and ensuring that athlete rights are applied as clearly and transparently as possible.
4. Thorough management of each professional team
conducts regular training and inspections (for each team) to prevent problems like this from occurring.
Especially in the contract between the team and team members, if there are any changes in the contract content after the steering committee approval, the steering committee must be notified, and if the steering committee's regulations are violated, heavy penalties will be imposed through supplementary LCK regulations.
In addition, regarding the recently discovered team agent contract, we will investigate similar cases across the league and examine whether there is any unfairness in the contract between the entire team and team members. The main goal of the
Steering Committee is to build a fair and sustainable esports ecosystem that satisfies all involved. At the same time, the Steering Committee is also responsible for the occurrence of such unpleasant events. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the fans who support the LCK and eSports.
I think many of you may be concerned about the impact and damage that may result from penalties for "indefinite business travel." This was also carefully considered by the Steering Committee. However, considering that the goal of the LCK is to spread joy for the upcoming games, applying the zero-tolerance principle to behavior that undermines the LCK’s core value of fairness will make the league healthier in the long run, and we must do it.
In the future, the Steering Committee will pay more attention to the fair management and management of competitions in order to provide the best experience for many e-sports enthusiasts.
LCK Steering Committee
