KC Apples suspended following professional misconduct allegations
Content Warning: This article mentions sexual harassment and emotional abuse. 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.
League of Legends Assistant Coach KC Apples (Žiga ‘Apples’ Jereb) is under investigation by his team, Karmine Corp (KC), for alleged severe misconduct.
These allegations include sexual misconduct and professional misconduct, spanning inappropriate advances on KC fans, career sabotage, and match-fixing.
Posts circulate online showing alleged misconduct from KC Apples
Following the end of KC’s LEC Summer season, posts began circulating online regarding behaviour from KC Apples.
Screenshots have been posted online showing the coach allegedly attempting to leverage his position to engage with female KC fans and making unwanted sexual advances. Posts of screenshots also display alleged attempts to silence the victims.
These allegations have surfaced only two months after an Origen co-founder faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct in the League of Legends community. This presents a concerning pattern of alleged misconduct perpetuating throughout the competitive scene.
Messages sent by KC Apples include leaking information about the team’s practice games during the League of Legends offseason. According to those bringing the allegations against him, he sent these leaks to female KC fans to attempt to impress or influence them.
One post from a KC fan appeared to indicate that the victims of KC Apples’ alleged behaviour have been waiting for him to be exposed for his behaviour “for years.”
She reiterated that he has been sending messages to female fans for an extended period of time. As a result, he allegedly has a reputation of being “a big creep.”
Concerningly, she also emphasised that “it just came out publicly even though everyone already knew.” This suggests that little was done to curb his alleged actions until public pressure mounted.
A posted screenshot of a message from one fan to KC Apples shows her confronting him about his alleged behaviour in private, before women began discussing his behaviour more openly online.
The challenges with public allegations: potential reasons why Apples’ actions have evaded the public eye
Allegations against KC Apples have prompted some individuals within the League of Legends community to question why the women involved did not publicly reveal their experiences sooner.
One woman addressed this issue online.
She alleged that “he told me he would kill himself if one day I spoke about it publicly.” As a result, she was concerned he would act on this claim as pressure continued building to expose his behaviour.
Information from the National Domestic Violence Hotline explains how the threat of suicide is a form of emotional abuse. It can be used when an individual attempts to prevent someone from doing something for their own protection.
The woman in question, who discussed these alleged threats, noted her fear in revealing this information to the public.
Additionally, the fear of a negative reaction and dismissal contributes to hesitancy in bringing forward allegations like those KC Apples is facing.
Following the publication of allegations, retired League of Legends player Andréas ‘Sardoche’ Honnet spoke about KC Apples.
He accused women who raised the allegations of “seeking buzz” and trying to bring him down after KC’s LEC defeat.
This interaction exemplifies why those who have now raised allegations against KC Apples may have felt concerned about coming forward.
KC Apples faces additional allegations of career manipulation and bet fixing
Allegations have also been raised that he has undermined player career opportunities and engaged in match-fixing.
Content creator and broadcast analyst Jakob ‘Jackspektra’ Gullvag Kepple added to the increasing allegations.
Jackspektra claims KC Apples approached teams he was interested in joining professionally. Then, Apples falsely informed them that Jackspektra would not join them. He alleges that this was due to KC Apples wanting to bring in his own roster to compete instead.
Furthermore, Dimitrije ‘Hebibrows’ Malesevic alleged online that KC Apples contacted him asking for updates on the status of rosters competing against Hebibrows’ team.
According to Hebibrows, he asked for updates on whether his opponent’s full team showed up for the game. This was “so he could earn money on betting on us.” The alleged messages with this request were deleted by KC Apples.
Karmine Corp CEO admits some in the organisation had prior knowledge of Apples’ actions
Following the publication of allegations, Kamel ‘Kameto’ Kebir, KC’s CEO, addressed the unfolding situation on a livestream.
In the livestream, he reassured viewers that “Karmine Corp will always stand up for the victims.”
However, he admitted that some people within KC had prior knowledge of KC Apples’ problematic behaviour.
Regarding this knowledge, he stated, “Depending on the results of the investigations, there will be consequences. I realise there are many things that need to change, and there will be some sorting out.” He also acknowledged a need for better background checks.
Additionally, Kameto put out an open call for evidence and discussion:
“If anyone has evidence of anything, send me a message if you have the strength; I will always be there to learn more and help.”
Kamel ‘Kameto’ Kebir, Karmine Corp CEO
Karmine Corp echoed the intention to launch a thorough investigation in a post from the organisation on September 28th. In this post, it is stated that “pending the conclusion of the investigation, the employee [Apples] has been suspended with immediate effect.”
Nevertheless, questions will be raised over why such behaviour has persisted in the League of Legends community.
Fans are already emphasising the pervasive cultural problem. Some have reminded that KC Apples is not the first, or will be the last, to have displayed problematic behaviour towards women.
In the words of a KC and League of Legends fan, “stop acting surprised.”
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.
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