Riot Games has issued a statement addressing recent sexual assault allegations involving former VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) competitor Ava “florescent” Eugene, confirming its awareness of the matter and vowing cooperation with law enforcement, but stopping short of launching an internal investigation.
The allegations first surfaced on May 17 when a user on X (formerly Twitter) posted on behalf of a woman referred to as “Brick,” accusing florescent of sexual assault. The developer responded later that day, stating:
“On May 17th, we were made aware of the sexual-assault allegations made against a competitor. Such allegations are among the most serious an individual can face and we urge anyone with relevant information to contact law enforcement.”
While Riot has not disclosed the name of the individual in its official communication, it did confirm that its Competitive Operations Team will monitor the legal proceedings and base any future eligibility decisions on the outcome.
“Our Competitive Operations Team will cooperate fully with any legal investigation and assess whether these allegations affect the individual's future eligibility,” the statement read.
florescent Denies Accusations, Pursuing Legal Counsel
Shortly after the accusations were made public, florescent issued a statement via X, denying the claims and announcing her intent to seek legal representation.
“I’m aware of the allegations that were made against me and take them very seriously. However, I strongly deny any and all accusations of SA,” she wrote.
“I’m currently treating this matter with my full attention. I am also exploring immediate legal assistance to help determine the best way for me to proceed... I will provide an update when capable.”
She further noted that while she wishes to present evidence to the public, she has been advised against doing so for safety reasons, and asked that the other party’s privacy be respected.
On May 18, “Brick” followed up with a more detailed public statement via Google Docs, but as of now, the case remains unresolved with no legal conclusions reached.
Criticism Over Riot’s Handling
Riot Games has faced intense scrutiny from the VALORANT community for omitting florescent’s name from its statement—especially in comparison to past instances where individuals accused of misconduct were publicly named and immediately suspended.
One user commented:
“So Sinatraa gets accused of similar stuff back then and as soon as the investigation starts he’s barred from competing but for some reason now it’s ‘we’ll see if they’ll still be eligible to play again.’”
Another added:
“Disappointing you don’t name names like you’ve done an awful amount of times to so many people.”
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