That was quick.
FPX announced on Weibo that it has ended all affliations with Blendi "kovaQ" Kovaci, its in-game leader, effective immediately.
The full statement, translated:
"Recently, during in-game communication with teammates, our player kovaQ made inappropriate remarks. The club attaches great importance to this matter, immediately initiated an internal investigation, emergency management, and verification reporting, suspended his training, match participation, and salary, while cooperating with the league's investigation.
After careful consideration, the club has decided to terminate all partnership and contractual relations with player kovaQ (Kovaci Blendi), effective immediately. Subsequent tournament arrangements will be finalized based on the league's final ruling and regulations.
Professional players are required not only to abide by competitive rules on the field, but also to consistently maintain professional ethics, strictly constrain their words and actions, and take full responsibility for their conduct and its consequences. FPX Esports Club has always held a clear and firm stance opposing any inappropriate remarks or improper expressions. At the same time, because subsequent roster adjustments must follow relevant rules, we will coordinate and communicate according to the actual situation to make every effort to ensure the smooth progress of the team's upcoming matches.
We deeply apologize for the negative impact caused by this incident. Moving forward, the club will take this as a lesson, continuously strengthen daily education and management regarding player professionalism, behavioral standards, and discipline requirements to prevent similar situations from occurring again.
Thank you to everyone for your attention and supervision.
FPX Esports Club Valorant Division"
What's alleged
According to reports it is because of a private in-game whisper to teammates during a VCT match. Reports allege it contained a racial slur directed at Asian people. FPX's statement says only "inappropriate remarks".
Riot's investigation hasn't concluded yet and FPX's phrasing about awaiting "the league's final ruling" makes clear a separate disciplinary process is still running.
kovaQ has not commented on it yet.
The Swiss-Albanian made his debut with Team Vitality, playing from June to October last year before being benched after VCT EMEA Stage 2. A brief stint at CGN Esports followed, then FPX signed him ahead of Stage 1.
Results were poor. FPX finished 11th-12th in the Stage 1 group stage and 7th-8th in Stage 2 play-ins after a 1-2 loss to JD Gaming. But the organisation removed him before the league ruled, on conduct rather than results, which is a different calculation entirely.
What happens to FPX's roster for upcoming matches depends on Riot's decision.
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