T1 has issued statements that threaten “formal legal action” over online harassment of its players and violations of player privacy. The organization asked for fans’ cooperation in “fostering a healthy and respectful fan culture.”
The statements follow the legal action brought by the player agency, Fanable, who represent esports players, including Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok and Lee ‘Gumayusi’ Min-hyeong.
T1 statements issue a stern warning over player harassment
T1 issued two statements over social media, warning of legal action against different types of harassment, with the first statement focusing on player privacy.
The Korean organization stated, “Recently, there have been numerous recorded instances of privacy infringement against our players, including waiting outside their team house for unauthorized filming as they head to our HQ.”
T1’s headquarters has in the past reportedly been the target of protesting fans, including hired trucks to block the building’s access, with staff and players reportedly receiving funeral wreaths.
The organization added that actions that take place outside of the players’ working schedule “cannot be justified under any circumstances.”
The statement then threatens legal action, stating, “Should these violations continue, we will take firm measures, including legal action, to ensure the safety and protect the rights of our players.”
The organization asked, “for the cooperation of all fans in fostering a healthy and respectful fan culture.”
A second statement, the following day, targeted online harassment, stating, “We are closely monitoring online communities and social media platforms for the creation of malicious rumors, the dissemination of false information, and posts containing personal attacks, defamation, or mockery directed at our players.”
Adding, “Actions that damage the reputation of our players and cause psychological distress may result in civil and criminal liability under relevant laws and regulations… In cases where malicious behavior is repetitive or severe, we intend to respond strictly, which may include taking formal legal action.”
T1 statements follow Faker and Gumayusi legal action
The statements closely follow news from Korea that the agency Fanable would take legal action to protect its athletes from online harassment.
The agency stated, “The creation, distribution, and defamation of malicious posts regarding our athletes in some communities have continued at a level that exceeds acceptable limits without any effort at self-regulation.”
Adding, “We have reached the conclusion that we can no longer overlook this situation,” before confirming both civil and criminal action.
Gumayusi was the victim of high-profile harassment last year, with Korean lawmaker Jeon Yong-gi calling for more robust action by Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA), Riot Games, and orgs to tackle online abuse.
The lawmaker directly attacked T1 fan group T1 Support Gallery (aka T1 Gall), stating, “I deeply regret the behaviour of some community users, such as the ‘T1 Support Gallery’, who have been cyberbullying [Gumayusi] for a long time, and I urge them to stop immediately.” (translated)
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Darragh is an Esports Journalist for Insider Gaming specialising in Counter-Strike. He loves to explore how esports teams work, or why they very often do not.
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