Former TSM coach Peter Zhang has been permanently suspended from all Riot Games-sanctioned esports events, as confirmed by the company through an announcement today.
The ban comes after an internal investigation of Zhang by TSM due to accusations of diverting money from players’ salaries against the former TSM coach. The 28-year-old was fired from his position as a TSM coach in March 2022.
“Zhang “Peter Zhang” Yi is permanently banned from any association or affiliation with a team or organization in a Riot-sanctioned competition for engaging in what we believe to be alarming and unethical behavior towards current and former TSM players and staff,” Riot Games stated in a ruling today.
“Peter Zhang violated the LCS Rule Set as well as the LCS Eligibility and Release Agreement by diverting portions of player salaries to accounts belonging to Peter Zhang and his associates, by misleading and failing to fully compensate a former TSM player for the sale of the player’s car, and by soliciting loans from TSM players and staff.”
According to the findings, Zhang diverted approximately $250,000 in salary payments from two TSM players between December 2021 and February 2022.
Additionally, Zhang also solicited eight TSM players and staff members to lend him approximately $15,000.
“TSM became aware of Peter Zhang’s solicitation on March 18, 2022, and took immediate action to reverse pending wire transfers, preventing Peter Zhang from receiving at least $20,000 more in loans,” the ruling states.
Currently, about $4,500 still remains unpaid to the players who loaned Zhang money.
As a result, Zhang has been permanently banned from all Riot-sanctioned League of Legends esports events and has been barred from associating with any team involved in official leagues or competitions around the world.
