Xdll suspended by FENNEL for smurfing

While it is true that we are in the offseason 2023 of the VCT, that does not mean that the teams are resting or on vacation; it is quite the opposite. Thanks to the announcements made by Riot Games several months ago, this offseason, we will also enjoy different tournaments in which we can see the VCT teams compete against Challengers or Level 3 teams.

One of these teams that will play the Red Bull Home Ground in Tokyo, Japan, will be FENNEL. However, the news that they will be facing some of the best teams in the world is bad news for this organization after they had to suspend one of their players, Yuto “Xdll” Mizomori, for smurfing.

This is terrible news for the team since this tournament is just a short time away, and they would surely be very expectant in their participation. However, this type of behavior or action must have consequences, and that the team itself applies them is a sign of the organization’s commitment to fair play.

FENNEL suspended Xdll for smurfing

FENNEL suspends one of its best players, Xdll, due to being detected smurfing in the VALORANT competitive queue. For those who don’t know, smurfing is a technique used by high-level players to play in lower ranks and thus have a competitive experience and quality advantage over other players.

FENNEL has temporarily suspended player Xdll from their VALORANT roster due to Smurfing and Playing on another persons account

FENNEL will need to find a replacement for Xdll for the upcoming Red Bull Homeground tournament starting early November pic.twitter.com/Osa2qjwuky

— BoDork (@Bo_Hoogland) October 18, 2023

This is a tough blow for FENNEL, as Xdll is one of the key pillars within its VALORANT lineup.

VALORANT部門所属メンバーについてのご報告 pic.twitter.com/cY1CqQ3SbX

— FENNEL (@FENNEL_official) October 18, 2023

This suspension will be for two months, so the player will not be able to compete this offseason since there are only two months left to finish 2023. In addition, this also means that Xdll will not be able to play against Tier 1 players and teams due to this suspension. As a result, the Japanese organization is looking for a fifth player to play in the local tournament.

Somewhat severe punishment by FENNEL

Currently, there is no written code regarding punishments for smurfing in esports organizations, so this is at the discretion of the particular rules of each org. In addition, if we consider the time, we can say that 2 months is a somewhat severe time since it means leaving one of your pieces on the sidelines in the matches played by the team.

However, the fact that it is in the offseason does not make it very important since the player will not miss official tournaments, except for the Red Bull Home Ground, which, as we know, is a kind of showmatch.

Similarly, as we have mentioned, this is very bad news for the player and the team since Xdll will not be able to rub shoulders in an international tournament with some of the best teams in the world.

FENNEL is looking for a fifth player

While this tournament may not have very lucrative prize money or be of much importance, it is an excellent way for teams and Tier 2 or 3 players to prove themselves against those in the VCT.

As a result, FENNEL will have to look for a player who wants to be on the team during this time. However, they may even decide to sign him permanently and send Xdll to the bench. Finally, they have to do this as quickly as possible, as let’s remember that some of the teams they are playing at the Red Bull Home Ground are DRX, ZETA DIVISION, and 100 Thieves.

Header: Hisashi “Yossy” Yoshimura