Police deployed to T1 offices due to threats against League of Legends player
Ivern is my spirit champion, and Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok has been threatened with harm, with police now present at the offices of his professional esports team, T1. The prominent esports organisation has issued a statement regarding the threats against the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) star, outlining its cooperation with police in the wake of the concerning situation.
Faker, who notably plays on SK Telecom T1, has received threats to his life, prompting the police presence at T1 headquarters to ensure the safety of the star player and other staff.
“T1 has received threats of harm to the life of Faker, who is a member of our team,” T1 says. “We reported this to the police as a matter of precaution, and the police have responded by sending officers to investigate the situation.”
The organisation also states that it has not yet released any specific details regarding the nature of the threats made against Faker, but that it will continue to cooperate with police as the investigation progresses.
The news brings to mind the unfortunate death of Drew ‘Drake’ DeShanne, an aspiring Overwatch League player who was shot and killed earlier this year. While esports professionals and traditional athletes have different challenges to navigate in terms of their respective communities, the safety of players is a growing concern in the industry.
T1 and Faker are known throughout the esports world for their success and prominence, with the organisation boasting one of the most successful League of Legends teams in the world and Faker’s exceptional skills. While the news of the threats may reflect the intensity of passion surrounding esports, it also reflects the sometimes toxic nature of the gaming community.
We wish Faker and T1 the best in the investigation, and hope that it serves as a reminder that professional gamers aren't immune to threats and harassment.
