LPL star, and FunPlus Phoenix jungler, Cai ‘milkyway’ Zi-Jun has been suspended indefinitely pending the outcome of an investigation into “misconduct,” adding, “We will not tolerate malicious rumours, nor will we condone any misconduct or illegal behaviour from any personnel.”
The jungler had only returned to FPX mere weeks ago, agreeing to join the organisation for Split 3, however, the accusations do not pertain to recent LPL matches but to the 2024 Demacia Cup, where milkyway attended as a member of Royal Never Give Up.
The post-season cup competition took place in December 2025 and was contested by 20 teams, with 16 of the teams being the LPL teams of the time. Royal Never Give Up placed last in Group D, failing to win a single contest.
The event was eventually won by Anyone’s Legend, a statement win for the organisation as their first tournament victory. Up until now, the event’s legacy was as a precursor to Anyone’s Legend’s emergence as the dominant force in LPL, where they are esports betting sites favourites to retain their domestic title.
However, the legacy of the event may now have shifted to an infamous one, with the unfolding scandal regarding milkyway’s conduct. The exact reason for the suspension is not known and is still pending investigation. While speculation on social media alleges that milkyway leaked drafts during the tournament, those rumours are not verifiable at this time.
The incident is not the first time FPX junglers have been involved in a scandal. In 2021, Zhou ‘Bo’ Yang-Bo was suspended for allegedly match-fixing. Again, the incident happened not while at FPX but while he was in the LDL prior to his time in FunPlus Phoenix.
While Bo was essentially a whistleblower for that case, allegedly being coerced into match-fixing behaviour by his teammates, it did not save his position in the roster, eventually departing to join the EMEA with Vitality before his time in Karmine Corp.
FunPlus Phoenix statement: FPX milkyway’s suspended
FPX shared the following announcement on the Chinese social media site, Weibo, on the morning of August 13 (translated):
“Following the emergence of false information on the internet concerning the FPX Esports Club, we initiated an immediate internal review. After a thorough investigation, we confirmed that the claims were untrue. To clarify the facts and protect the club’s legal rights, we have reported the matter to the public security authorities, and our legal team is following up on the case.
“On the evening of August 11, 2025, the club received a report alleging misconduct by player Cai Zijun (ID: milkyway) during the 2024 Demacia Cup. We took this matter very seriously and immediately suspended the player from all matches and training schedules. The issue was reported to the league that same evening, and we are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
“We are currently awaiting the league’s verification results. Until the official investigation is concluded, the club will, in accordance with tournament rules, suspend all cooperation with player Cai Zijun indefinitely. Upholding a clean, competitive environment is a non-negotiable principle for our club. We will not tolerate malicious rumours, nor will we condone any misconduct or illegal behaviour from any personnel. FPX Esports Club firmly opposes all forms of unfair competitive practices and is working with the league to protect a fair, just, and healthy esports environment.
“Thank you for your attention and supervision.”
The “false information” alluded to in the opening paragraph regarded rumours of match-fixing within the FPX organisation, something the org stringently denied as “completely baseless” in another such Weibo post, where they threatened legal action regarding the “malicious slander” stating “Regarding the rumors, we will pursue both civil and criminal liability through legal channels to make the rumor-monger pay the price they deserve. The internet is not a lawless place, and keyboards cannot be above the law.”
Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports News UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.
