The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Singapore Season 9 has been rocked by a significant match-fixing scandal that led to the disqualification of team Everlasting Luv from the playoffs and the suspension of three key players. This unprecedented incident has sent waves through Singapore’s esports community and highlighted the critical importance of maintaining competitive integrity in professional gaming.
The controversy centers around a Week 3 Day 2 regular season match between Everlasting Luv and Sovereign SG, where suspicious gameplay patterns caught the attention of league officials. What initially appeared to be poor performance quickly escalated into a full-scale investigation when the MPL Singapore Committee noticed questionable decision-making and unusual in-game behavior that contradicted standard competitive play.
The scandal has particularly significant implications given that Everlasting Luv had successfully qualified for the Season 9 Playoffs through the Last Chance Qualifier, making their disqualification a devastating blow to the team’s aspirations. The playoffs, scheduled from June 6-8, 2025, carry substantial stakes, including a $40,000 SGD prize pool and representation at the prestigious Mid-Season Cup as part of the Esports World Cup.
This incident marks a critical moment for MPL Singapore as the nation’s only professional esports league, demonstrating its commitment to upholding the highest standards of fair play and competitive integrity in the rapidly growing Southeast Asian esports.
The Controversial Match That Sparked an Investigation
The match in question took place during the Challenger Stage, after Everlasting Luv had already suffered two defeats, effectively eliminating their chances of advancing and relegating them to the Last Chance Qualifier. Despite the reduced stakes, teams are expected to maintain professional standards and compete at their highest level throughout all matches.
Everlasting Luv initially dominated the early game, establishing a commanding 8,000 gold lead and destroying most of Sovereign SG’s defensive structures. However, their performance dramatically shifted in the mid-to-late game, with players making increasingly questionable tactical decisions that allowed their opponents to mount an unlikely comeback.
MLBB MPL Singapore S9 (Image via Getty)The most egregious incident occurred near the match’s conclusion when Everlasting Luv’s player Kyushu deliberately walked into the enemy base, resulting in an unnecessary death. This action was so unusual that Sovereign SG players visibly hesitated, appearing confused and even stopping their attacks, seemingly assuming a technical error had occurred.
Additional suspicious behavior included the team’s failure to secure the Lord objective in the late game, instead engaging in unnecessary team fights that further compromised their position. The 43-minute match concluded with Sovereign SG’s victory, leaving spectators, casters, and officials bewildered by the dramatic turn of events.
Investigation Findings and Penalties Imposed
Following the match, the MPL Singapore Committee launched a comprehensive internal investigation, conducting individual interviews with team members. The investigation revealed that players Akashi, Kyushu, and WILLYYY provided explanations that were inconsistent with their in-game actions, team communications, and backend data analysis.
The committee determined that the players had violated Rule 15.1.2 of the MPL SG rulebook, which mandates that teams must perform at their best at all times. Additionally, the three players were found guilty of providing misleading information to league officials during the investigation process.
As a result, Everlasting Luv has been disqualified from the Season 9 Playoffs and banned from participating in MPL Singapore for two additional seasons. The three implicated players—Akashi, Kyushu, and WILLYYY—have each received two-season suspensions, preventing them from competing until June 2026.
Impact on Tournament Structure and Future Implications
The disqualification has necessitated adjustments to the playoff bracket, with Kingdom Esports receiving a bye to the next round, where they will face Flash SG in the upper bracket semifinals. This incident represents a significant setback for the Challenger Qualifiers format, which was designed to provide aspiring community teams with opportunities to compete at the highest level.
The MPL Singapore Committee emphasized its unwavering commitment to competitive integrity, stating that as the nation’s only professional esports league, it must enforce strict penalties to ensure fair competition for all participants. This decisive action sends a clear message to the esports community about the consequences of compromising competitive standards and demonstrates Singapore’s dedication to maintaining professional esports excellence.
