Fnatic Draws a Hard Line Against Online Abuse: Law Enforcement Involved and Permanent Bans Issued

Esports News UK, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 20/02/2026

The world of competitive esports is frequently affected by toxic fan behavior, and Fnatic is responding with firm action.

After seeing an increase in targeted harassment, the London-based esports organization has introduced a new approach to address online abuse, making it clear that harmful behavior will no longer be tolerated.

On February 19, Fnatic posted an official statement on X (formerly Twitter) about a recent increase in personal attacks and reported death threats aimed at its professional players.

The organization stated that while criticism based on performance is part of sports, harassment and threats are unacceptable and cross a legal line.

Zero Tolerance and Legal Escalation

“We have zero tolerance for this behavior,” Fnatic said.

The organization made it clear that threats of violence online are not just words—they are considered crimes.

Fnatic also confirmed it will contact law enforcement if harassment includes threats of physical harm.

In addition to legal action, Fnatic is adopting a strict policy both online and at events. Anyone found to be involved in harassment will be permanently banned from:

• Fnatic’s official social media channels.
• The organization’s Discord servers.
• All future physical events and activations hosted by Fnatic.

The Impact on Fnatic Players

This decision comes at an important time for Fnatic’s teams. Recently, League of Legends players Vladimiros “Vladi” Kourtidis and Park “Lospa” Joon-hyeong reportedly stepped away from social media to protect their mental health after facing harassment.

VALORANT team leader Jake “Boaster” Howlett has also been the target of online hate and even past death threats.

Fnatic, which competes in League of Legends, VALORANT, CS2, Apex Legends, and Rainbow Six Siege, pointed out that abuse puts extra mental stress on players who are already under a lot of pressure.

This could be seen In January with an increase in online abuse at players after Fnatic’s exit in the IEM Rio closed qualifier. 

A Call to the Fnatic Community

Fnatic is asking its real fans to help make the community better. Instead of arguing with trolls, which can make things worse, the organization encourages people to report toxic content using each platform’s official tools.

By taking a more active approach—using legal action and strong community rules—Fnatic hopes to set a new standard for protecting players in esports.

The organization’s message is clear: a small group of hateful individuals will not be allowed to threaten or harm top competitors.

Esports News UK, Senior Editor

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