After an immense backlash from the esports community, Riot Games has issued a statement regarding the decision to let Jay "sinatraa" Won return to the competitive VALORANT scene. In a statement from Riot Games President John Needham, fans were informed that sinatraa is now not allowed to compete in the VALORANT Champions Tour as previously stated.
On April 14, the Competitive Operations Team became aware of an email sent by a team member to sinatraa that "incorrectly" stated that the talented gamer could return to competition without completing his professional conduct training. This was something that his former girlfriend, Cleo, brought up in a tweet yesterday, appauled that her alleged former sexual abuser was being given special treatment.
"We have informed Mr. Won that contrary to that communication, and in accordance with the competitive ruling, he is required to undergo professional conduct training," the statement from Needham continued. "We have begun working with Mr. Won to complete his training."
This training apparently includes conducting himself "as a professional," complying with Riot Games' rules and regulations, and — most notably — complying with investigations. According to previous statement from Riot Games, sinatraa had blatantly lied to the ones conducting the investigation and refused to provide the proof of innocent he previously claimed he would share.
"The allegations made in this matter are among the most significant that can be levied against an individual and we take all such claims extremely seriously," Needham said.
In the statement, Needham apologized to the VALORANT community for what he called a "mistake" on Riot Games' end. He added that there was now an investigation into the individuals who were involved in sending the incorrect email.
But many gamers were not convinced. Instead of an alleged blunder by an individual employee, a lot of people in the esports community seemed to believe that Needham was backtracking on a previously made decision after seeing how fans' reacted to Riot Games' decision to let sinatraa play again. It seemed like "damage control" to many VALORANT fans.
sinatraa hasn't responded to this update publicly.
