Global Esports Head Coach Juv3nile Suspended: Riot Games Cracks Down on Code of Conduct Violation

The Valorant esports scene has been shaken by the recent 12-month suspension of Preston “Juv3nile” Dornon, the Head Coach of Global Esports, after Riot Games concluded an investigation into serious misconduct allegations. The ruling, which falls under the Riot Global Code of Conduct violations, bars him from all Riot-sanctioned competitions for a year and mandates executive training on conduct, respect, and professionalism.

Copyright: JAZMIN D. TABUENA

Global Esports Responds: Acknowledging Riot’s Decision

Following Riot’s official announcement, Global Esports swiftly addressed the situation, confirming the suspension of their head coach and fully supporting Riot’s ruling. In their official statement, the organization emphasized their commitment to accountability and integrity, stating:

"No matter how difficult or unfortunate a situation may be, the standards of conduct and professionalism—both inside and outside the game—must be upheld at all times, by coaches, staff & players.”

Furthermore, Global Esports CEO Dr. Rushindra Sinha personally addressed the issue, revealing that Riot’s Compliance Team had been investigating the matter for weeks, collecting context and information from both Juv3nile and the organization. After an extensive review, Riot determined that Juv3nile’s actions breached their Global Code of Conduct, leading to his one-year suspension.

Dr. Sinha acknowledged the unfortunate nature of the situation but assured fans that Global Esports remains focused on its objectives:

"While this situation is extremely unfortunate, we will do what we do best and continue to focus on our goals and objectives.”

He also confirmed that the team is moving forward with their upcoming match on Monday, urging the community to keep supporting them as they navigate through this challenging period.

The Allegations: What Led to the Suspension?

While Riot’s official statement remained vague on the specifics of Juv3nile’s misconduct, the suspension was triggered by inappropriate messages sent by the coach to multiple female users on X (formerly Twitter). These messages, which surfaced online (Shared Below), contained unprofessional language, violating Riot’s policies against harassment and sexual misconduct.

The scandal has reignited discussions about the power dynamics in esports, with many questioning whether organizations are doing enough to prevent such issues.

The Future of Global Esports Without Juv3nile

With Juv3nile sidelined for an entire year, Global Esports is now facing a critical leadership gap heading into the 2025 season. The organization has not yet announced a replacement, leaving fans speculating on how they will handle the coaching crisis.

Final Thoughts: A Lesson for Esports Professionals

The Juv3nile suspension saga serves as a stark reminder that in today’s esports landscape, coaches, players, and staff are held to a higher standard of conduct—both inside and outside the game. As esports continues to grow, the importance of professionalism and ethical behavior cannot be ignored.

For Global Esports, the focus now shifts to damage control, team stability, and finding a new coaching solution. Meanwhile, for Juv3nile, the road back to competitive Valorant will require not just compliance with Riot’s executive training but also regaining the trust of the community—a challenge that may prove to be even harder than the 12-month suspension itself.