en
Riot Disqualifies VCT 2027 Qualifier Semifinalist for Cheating
Riot Games has disqualified BONK from the first European qualifier for VCT EMEA Kickoff 2027 after confirming that a team participant used unauthorized cheating software. The decision, announced on Sunday, November 8, removes a semifinalist from the competition and forces two rounds of VALORANT matches to be replayed.
The ruling also gives Aurora Gaming, featuring Champions 2026 finalist Nikita "Derke" Sirmitev, an unexpected second chance after the team was eliminated by BONK earlier in the tournament. All BONK players and other registered team participants have been provisionally suspended from Riot-sanctioned competitions while the investigation into individual involvement continues.
Why Did Riot Games Disqualify BONK?
According to the official VCT EMEA statement, Riot's anti-cheat team has been conducting ongoing match reviews throughout the Kickoff qualifiers to identify suspicious activity and protect competitive integrity.
During Europe Qualifier #1, suspicious behavior involving BONK was reported. Riot subsequently investigated and confirmed that a participant on the team had been using unauthorized cheating software.
While the violation has been confirmed, Riot has not publicly identified the participant responsible or established that every member of BONK was involved in cheating. The provisional suspensions are interim measures, and any final sanctions will depend on the findings concerning each individual.
Riot also reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward cheating, including knowingly enabling, assisting or concealing cheating by others. The announcement did not specify which matches or rounds were affected by the unauthorized software, nor did it explain how the violation was detected.
Which Teams Are Affected by BONK's Disqualification?
BONK had reached the semifinals of Europe Qualifier #1 after defeating Aurora Gaming 2-1 in the round of 32 on November 6, followed by consecutive 2-0 victories over Project 100K and ycatble on November 7.
Rather than replaying the original match between BONK and Aurora, Riot decided to reinstate Aurora in the affected section of the bracket and replay the following two rounds. The decision gives Aurora Gaming, Project 100K and ycatble another opportunity to compete for a place in the next stage of qualification.
The Aurora-BONK series had previously attracted attention after BONK recovered from an 11-3 deficit on Bind to win the deciding map 15-13 in overtime. However, Riot has not stated whether the confirmed cheating violation occurred during that particular match.
Following discussions with the affected teams, all three organizations agreed to the revised schedule announced for November 8.
VCT EMEA Kickoff 2027: Rescheduled Matches
- Round of 16: Aurora Gaming vs. Project 100K, 5 PM CET / 11 AM ET / 8 AM PT
- Quarterfinals: Winner of Aurora vs. Project 100K against ycatble, approximately 7:30 PM CET / 1:30 PM ET / 10:30 AM PT
The quarterfinal winner will advance to the Europe Qualifier Playoffs, where eight teams from the two open qualifiers will join eight invited non-partner teams. The playoffs are scheduled for November 26 to December 5, with two places at VCT EMEA Kickoff 2027 at stake.
Meanwhile, the semifinal involving Pixel Lumina and the qualifier final have been postponed to accommodate the revised bracket. Riot did not announce new dates for those matches.
The organizer stressed that replaying tournament matches is an exceptional measure that will not always be possible. According to Riot, the decision was made to balance competitive integrity with scheduling considerations and does not establish a precedent for future incidents.
Riot's New Anti-Cheat Measures Face an Early Test
The disqualification comes just three days after Riot Games announced expanded competitive integrity measures for the 2027 VCT season, particularly as online open qualifiers return to the competitive ecosystem.
In its November 5 announcement, Riot outlined stricter player verification requirements, Vanguard compliance checks and additional monitoring procedures. The developer also detailed how suspicious activity could be investigated through match reviews and retroactive enforcement.
Later stages of the qualification process will introduce further monitoring requirements, including player recordings and match-area cameras during Open Playoffs.
The BONK case demonstrates how a confirmed cheating violation can affect results beyond a single match. In this instance, the consequences extend to several teams, the qualification bracket and the tournament schedule.
Although BONK's disqualification is confirmed, the investigation into individual responsibility remains ongoing. Riot has not announced when it expects to reach final disciplinary decisions.
Follow Strafe Esports for the latest VALORANT news, and follow our X account for more updates and coverage. You can also check out the Strafe YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, press conferences and more.
Featured image credit: Riot Games
Read more:
Zellsis rejoins Sentinels ahead of 2027 season
Sentinels Sign canezerra After Riot Lifts His Hardware Ban Early
