Tommy “Taiga” Le has officially been removed from Team Leviatan in a development that many in the Dota 2 esports community had been expecting. This decision signals a significant shift in the ongoing conversation surrounding match-fixing in esports.
Tommy “Taiga” Le (Image credit: Valve)
Statement from Team Leviatan
After much speculation and backlash from the Dota 2 esports community, Team Leviatan has officially announced the departure of Taiga from their Dota 2 roster. While the statement did not directly accuse Le of match-fixing, it alluded to “recent events” that necessitated action to uphold competitive integrity.
The organization mentioned that the decision was made in mutual agreement with Taiga, who has not publicly commented on the situation.
Team Leviatan’s statement on the removal of Taiga (Image credit: Team Leviatan)
Taiga had only been with Leviatan since March and had participated in a few matches before questions were raised about his activities. His return to competitive play was marred by allegations of gambling addiction and match-fixing, which tarnished his reputation.
Background on Taiga’s Match-Fixing and Gambling Issues
Prior to the recent allegations, rumors had circulated about Taiga’s possible involvement in match-fixing. The uncertainty surrounding Leviatan’s knowledge of these allegations when they recruited him adds to the complexity of the situation.
Taiga’s struggles with gambling addiction came to light, but the severity of the allegations escalated with evidence suggesting his involvement in match-fixing schemes that favored certain gambling syndicates.
Early Rumors surrounding Taiga’s match-fixing
Accusations of match-fixing surfaced during Taiga’s time with OG, with individuals previously banned by Valve making claims against him. These accusations were further supported by former Virtus.pro coach Arsenii “ArsZeeqq” Usov.
Though Taiga has acknowledged his gambling issues, he has not admitted to any involvement in match-fixing.
Documentary exposing Taiga’s crimes
A documentary released by YouTuber Morf-Designer provided specific instances of match-fixing during Taiga’s tenure with OG, including discussions of manipulating game outcomes for gambling purposes.
Implications for Taiga’s Professional Dota 2 Career
With mounting evidence and community pressure, Taiga’s future in professional Dota 2 looks uncertain. Calls for a lifetime ban from tournaments have surfaced, reflecting the seriousness of the allegations against him.
(Image Credits: Taiga)
The impact of Taiga’s actions extends beyond his career, affecting his fans and former teammates who must grapple with the disappointment of seeing a once-respected player involved in such misconduct.
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