TaiLung denied the allegations regarding “322” and asked PGL and LGD Gaming to provide evidence

First and foremost, I want to apologize for any inconvenience and concern this entire situation may have caused. Until now, I had chosen to remain silent, but I feel it is necessary to publicly explain, from my perspective, what I have had to go through over the past few days.

Recently, the team was informed of a situation involving betting on LGD matches. According to the information we received, a data analyst affiliated with a bookmaker discovered an account from which bets were placed on our matches.

After I learned about this situation, I tried to gather more information to understand what was happening. I was subsequently told that bets ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 per match were allegedly placed from this account. I was also told that the account’s activity wasn’t limited to just our matches and that numerous losing bets had been recorded on it. <...>

On August 6, LGD released a statement announcing that, after reviewing the information available at the time, no suspicious behavior in matches or other anomalous circumstances had been detected.

On August 7, LGD asked me to provide my phone for inspection. I agreed because I was willing to cooperate with the investigation. During this inspection, they discovered an old conversation in [a gaming messenger] with a friend dating back to the time of Zeinternacional—a completely different tournament unrelated to my performance for LGD.

In that conversation, a friend was joking with me about money, and I went along with the joke. I admit it was a mistake to engage in a conversation on such a topic, and I fully understand that, if taken out of context, it could create a negative impression. However, I never accepted any offers or entered into any agreements related to what was being discussed.

While all this was happening, I received a message that I consider extremely important to clarify. The message came from an unknown number. The person who sent it identified themselves as my mother and mentioned a specific amount of money. That number did not belong to my mother. <...> When this message appeared, I became even more afraid that it would immediately be taken as evidence against me.

The pressure I felt at that moment was immense. My mind went blank, and I reacted impulsively: I grabbed my phone and threw it. I want to take responsibility for that reaction. It was a mistake, and I fully understand that it could have further fueled the suspicions against me. <...>

I threw the phone not because I had done anything related to these allegations. I reacted impulsively because I was frightened, extremely nervous, and felt that everything happening around me was being used to incriminate me.

If these circumstances have raised suspicions, I am prepared to have everything objectively investigated in accordance with the relevant procedures. If necessary, I am also prepared to allow my accounts and financial statements, as well as the relevant transactions, to be audited to determine whether any transactions related to the amounts mentioned actually exist.

I have no objection to the investigation. On the contrary: I want the investigation to be seen through to the end. I only ask that any conclusions be based on verifiable evidence, and not merely on interpretations, suspicions, or isolated facts.

After all this, I was suspended from the team. Subsequently, representatives from LGD suggested that I voluntarily step down and withdraw from The International; otherwise, I was told, the investigation into this matter would continue in full.

I refused. I refused because I have principles and values. Ever since I started playing Dota, nothing has ever been more important to me than competition and the drive to win absolutely everything. I’ve dedicated a huge part of my life to this game to get as far as possible, and it would never have made sense to me to throw all that hard work away by doing something that goes against everything I’ve worked for.

Therefore, if there were any doubts about me, I preferred to have everything thoroughly investigated rather than voluntarily step down and accept a situation with which I disagreed. Besides, we had qualified for TI together, and this was supposed to be my first The International. I didn’t want to just give up an opportunity I’d worked so hard for. However, the next day I was informed that PGL had suspended me and that I would no longer be able to participate in TI. <...>

In light of all this, I want to publicly ask LGD and PGL: What exactly is the reason for my suspension? If there is concrete evidence against me, I want to know exactly what I am accused of, review that evidence, and have the opportunity to respond to it appropriately.

If it is proven, based on verifiable evidence, that I engaged in such activities, I will accept the appropriate consequences, up to and including a lifetime ban from all competitions. But if there is no evidence to support these allegations, I believe I deserve, at the very least, a public acknowledgment of this fact and a corresponding apology.

If the decision was made based on any other circumstances, I also want to know exactly what they are. I understand that I may ultimately be unable to participate in The International. But at this stage, it’s no longer just about whether or not I’ll play in the tournament. An accusation of this severity could affect my career, reputation, and future for many years to come. And this entire situation has also deeply affected me personally.

I’m not asking anyone to simply take my word for it. I’m not asking anyone to ignore any evidence, nor am I asking for special treatment. I’m prepared to cooperate with any serious and transparent investigation and to provide the necessary information within the framework of the relevant procedures.

I ask only for clarity: I want to know exactly what I am accused of, to review the evidence on which this accusation is based, and to be given a fair opportunity to respond and defend myself—just as any person should be entitled to do. I believe it is of fundamental importance not to treat a person as guilty until the facts and evidence allow for such a conclusion. <...>