A full and comprehensive investigation of all alleged incidents of players cheating by looking at the venue screen at the World Playoffs has been completed by Riot Games, the creators of League of Legends. The investigation has drawn the following conclusions.

Unsportsmanlike behavior was decided to have occurred by Azubu Frost. The impact of them looking at the venue screen modified the way they were playing with a ping and a Jayce brush check. Although Riot Games have decided that these actions were not fundamental in deciding the winner of the game, they have fined AzF $30,000 which will go to their charity program in Korea. This fine equates to 20% of the tournament winnings still leaving AzF with a staggering paycheck!

The investigation found four further incidents that happened at the event and warnings have been issued to those offending teams. Riot Games has taken a stern stance on this activity but admits some responsibility for the layout of the event and that looking at the venue screens should never have been an option for alluring eyes.

Here are summaries of our findings on the other incidents:

• Quarterfinal #4, Game 3 (CLG.EU v. Team WE) at 19:24 on the game clock – WE WeiXiao looked up at the venue screen. Practical benefits to Team WE were limited – Corki’s moves after WeiXiao’s look would have been logical, whether he saw Sona’s position on the venue screens or not. We have determined this to be unsportsmanlike and have issued a warning.
• Group Stage A (IG v. SK) at 13:00 on the game clock – iG Zz1tai looked over his right shoulder at the screens. From our analysis, there was no material impact to the game. We have determined this to be unsportsmanlike and have issued a warning.
• Quarterfinal #3, (restarted) Game 1 (AZF v. TSM) during game pause – TSM Dyrus turned his head to determine whether it was feasible to see the minimap screens from the stage. TSM obtained no direct meaningful benefits from Dyrus’ action as the game was restarted, but we have issued a warning.
• Quarterfinal #2, Game 1 (TPA v. NaJin Sword) at 4:11 on the game clock – TPA Stanley briefly looked to his left, then looked forward and adjusted his monitor. We’ve determined he was responding to glare issues. The position of all five players of NaJin Sword was already visible to TPA at this time. While Stanley violated the referee’s instructions to look forward at all times, there was no unsportsmanlike conduct.

We are sure that Lance Armstrong would have loved to give away 20% of his prize money if that would’ve settled the case. For a more elaborate statement by Riot Games, click here.