A Thailand girls’s esports participant has been disqualified from the SEA Video games after being caught dishonest throughout a stay match, regardless of her workforce nonetheless dropping the sequence and being blown out.
The incident occurred through the thirty third SEA Video games Area of Valor competitors on December 15, when Thailand’s girls’s workforce suffered a 0–3 loss to Vietnam within the higher bracket closing.
Shortly after the match, the Thailand Esports Federation (TESF) confirmed that Warasin Naraphat, higher often known as Tokyogurl, had been disqualified for violating competitors guidelines.Article continues after advert
TESF stated Naraphat breached the Esports Technical Handbook, which strictly bans the usage of unauthorized third-party software program or modified competitors gear throughout matches.
On-line hypothesis exploded after viewers observed suspicious conduct through the broadcast. Thai outlet Khaosod later reported that Naraphat was seen making a middle-finger gesture on digital camera earlier than being substituted out mid-series in opposition to Vietnam.
An investigation was instantly launched by SEA Video games officers. Naraphat, who performed marksman for the workforce, was discovered to have dedicated a critical technical violation and obtained the event’s most penalty: disqualification.Article continues after adArticle continues after advert
TESF didn’t verify the precise software program used. Nevertheless, investigations counsel TeamViewer, a distant entry program, could have been concerned and that another person could have been taking part in for Tokyogurl.
TESFTokyogurl represented Thailand’s girls’s workforce in Area of Valor on the thirty third SEA Video games.
Thailand withdraws from Area of Valor event after dishonest controversy
The fallout prolonged far past one participant.
Regardless of Thailand main Laos 1–0 within the decrease bracket closing on December 16 and nonetheless having a path to the gold medal match, TESF made the choice to withdraw the complete Area of Valor girls’s workforce from the event.Article continues after advert
“Truthful play is paramount,” TESF stated in an official assertion. “We settle for the organizing committee’s resolution and can conduct an inner investigation to forestall related incidents from recurring.”
Cryptic social media posts from teammates fueled hypothesis earlier than the official ruling.
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Participant Jomkhon ‘Givemeakiss’ Phumsinin wrote, “Understanding the reality broke my coronary heart, however I’ll do my greatest,” whereas teammate Jenniex requested followers for endurance as occasions unfolded.
Naraphat’s membership, Talon, moved swiftly following the ruling, asserting the instant termination of her contract efficient December 16.Article continues after adArticle continues after advert
Tokyogurl denies wrongdoing
Regardless of the ruling, Naraphat has publicly denied dishonest.
In an announcement shared on social media, she claimed she performed the match herself with none unauthorized software program or {hardware}. She stated she panicked through the recreation, grew to become unwell, and was taken to hospital afterward. Naraphat additionally downplayed her on-camera gesture, saying it was a joke aimed toward a pressured teammate.
[Update] Tokyogurl Denies Dishonest in 2025 SEA Video games RoV ControversyThai esports athlete Naphat Warasin, also called Tokyogurl, has denied dishonest within the 2025 SEA Video games Area of Valor (RoV) girls’s workforce occasion, following her current expulsion from the competitors.Responding… pic.twitter.com/B60MgXFYYl— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) December 16, 2025
The SEA Video games controversy provides to a rising checklist of current dishonest scandals throughout esports.
Earlier this yr, CS2 professional Joel ‘joel’ Holmlund obtained a everlasting ban after cheats have been discovered on his PC, compounded by threats towards the Esports Integrity Fee.Article continues after advert
Even non-traditional esports haven’t been immune. In April 2025, streamer DrLupo was faraway from a $100,000 PogChamps chess occasion after violating Chess.com’s honest play guidelines, a case that ended with a full confession.
