Content Warning: This article mentions sexual harassment and assault. If you have suffered from any of the issues discussed in this article and are seeking help, please visit the Survivors Trust website to access the available helplines.
Riot Games harassment policy outlined in the Riot Games Espots Code of Conduct may prevent investigation into historical accounts of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
Recently alleged incidents of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and grooming in League of Legends esports have raised concerns about safeguarding. However, Riot Games harassment policy includes a six-year time limitation for investigations, subject to undefined “exceptions.”
Recent misconduct allegations and understanding Riot Games harassment policy
Recent allegations have surfaced regarding sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and grooming in League of Legends. These allegations date from 2017 to 2019.
Esports News UK first reported on former pro player Matúš ‘Neon’ Jakubčík’s admission in a YouTube video that he faced alleged sexual harassment from a member of Origen.
Following this, two new individuals came forward to Esports News UK privately to share more alleged sexual misconduct. These incidents allegedly occurred when both individuals were minors.
All three alleged incidents would be impacted by Sections 4.10 and 5.3 of the Riot Games Esports Code of Conduct.
If Riot Games determines the allegations as not being “particularly egregious,” they have grounds to refuse to investigate due to the incidents taking place over six years ago.
Section 4.10 of the Riot Games Esports Code of Conduct
In the Riot Games Esports Code of Conduct 2025, incidents of sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct are primarily covered by section 4.10. This section is as follows:
“Harassment / Sexual Harassment.
Esports Professionals may not engage in any form of harassment.
Harassment is defined as unwelcome and unwanted behaviors that diminish, demean, or otherwise intimidate. This rule also prohibits sexual harassment, which is defined as any form of unwelcome sexual advances. An advance is unwelcomed if the person being harassed would regard the conduct as undesirable or offensive.
Stalking, conduct that involves threats of violence (whether physically or online) and sharing personal information of another individual without permission are considered forms of harassment as is any conduct by an individual that incites or encourages abuse by others.
All forms of harassment are prohibited, even if the behavior is not sufficiently severe or pervasive to constitute unlawful activity under applicable law.”
This explicitly prohibits any form of sexual harassment or misconduct. All three alleged incidents would likely fit under this ruling. The alleged perpetrator, David Primo, was co-founder of Origen and actively involved in participating in League of Legends esports.
However, reporting sexual harassment or any other sexual misconduct under section 4.10 does not guarantee investigation. Section 5.3 of the Riot Games Esports Code of Conduct revealed time limitations to investigations, with undefined “exceptions.”
Section 5.3.b of the Riot Games Esports Code of Conduct
In section 5.3 of the Code of Conduct, Riot Games outlines time limitations to investigations following conduct-breaking behaviour.
This section covers subsections (a) “cheating, underperformance, or other matters related solely to a particular game or match”; (b) “bribery, match-fixing, sexual harassment, or violation of criminal law”; and (c) “all other suspected violations of this Code of Conduct.”
Each subsection has an individually applied time limitation to investigations. Subsection (b) violations, which include sexual harassment or violation of criminal law, will not be investigated if more than six years have elapsed since the incident.
The 5.3.b subsection reads as follows:
“If a suspected violation of this Code of Conduct involves bribery, match-fixing, sexual harassment, or a violation of criminal law, Riot will not conduct an investigation of that violation if more than six years have elapsed from the date of the alleged conduct and the date of our discovery of the violation.”
Section 5.3 “exceptions”
It is determined in an additional Section 5.3 paragraph that there are some exceptions to this time limitation for investigations. However, it is not explicitly clarified as to what these exceptions are.
The paragraph on exceptions reads as follows:
“The limitation periods set out above are general rules that are subject to exceptions if Riot Games determine that particularly egregious conduct has occurred. The commencement of an investigation by Riot or its designee will suspend the applicable limitations period. If the violation occurred over time, the limitations period runs from the day on which the last instance of the alleged conduct occurred.”
How could Riot Games harassment policy impact recent misconduct allegations?
Riot Games does not define how they would determine an incident to be concerning “particularly egregious conduct” under Section 5.3.
Sexual harassment is explicitly mentioned under Section 5.3.b, suggesting that it would typically be subject to the six-year time constraint.
The European Institute for Gender Equality determines that sexual harassment is significantly underreported. Common reasons for this are “fear that the report would not be believed or taken seriously,” and “fear of negative impact on career.”
Studies have also explained that the emotional complexity of sexual harassment often results in extended periods of processing and understanding.
Male victims have been determined to possibly be even less likely to report instances of sexual harassment compared to women.
Therefore, because the Riot Games harassment policy explicitly places a time constraint on reporting harassment, many cases may be left without proper investigation. Often, this will simply be because victims were not ready to discuss their experience.
It is unknown at time of writing whether Riot Games will launch any formal investigation into the allegations made by Neon and the two additional anonymous victims.
Esports News UK has requested clarification from Riot Games regarding how the Riot Games Esports Code of Conduct may impact potential investigations.
At time of publishing, Riot Games has yet to respond to the request for comment.
If you have been affected by any of the topics discussed in this article and need to reach out for help, please visit The Survivors Trust. On their website, you can find links and phone numbers for major charities and organisations supporting sexual harassment and sexual assault survivors.
Safeline provides support and confidential services specifically for men who have experienced sexual harassment or abuse.
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Hannah is a writer specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, although it may never surpass her drive to passionately beat her friends in every game of Mariokart. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ESI London, EGX, Discover: Esports and many League of Legends watch parties.
