StarCraft II player provisionally suspended from competing at EWC

Chinese StarCraft II (SC2) player Xue ‘Firefly’ Tao has been provisionally suspended from competing in tournaments.

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) ruled that Firefly will no longer compete at the Esports World Cup.

Although the investigation from ESIC is ongoing, Firefly’s suspension and removal from the Esports World Cup lineup has resulted in Huang ‘Lancer’ Min earning a place at the main event taking place from July 22nd to 25th, 2025 at Boulevard City Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Lancer, competing for Chinese organisation JD Gaming, finished runner-up to Firefly in the Asia Qualifier. Instead of earning a place at the event’s Global Qualifier, he has joined the 18-player lineup that will compete for a $700,000 (~£515,196) prize pool.

“Following a preliminary investigation by the Esports Integrity Commission, ESIC has advised all tournament operators that StarCraft II competitor Xue ‘Firefly’ Tao has been provisionally suspended from competition pending finalisation of the investigation,” stated the Esports World Cup in a social media post.

With Lancer no longer competing in the Global Qualifier, Taiwanese player Lemon will advance to the qualifier taking place from June 21st to 22nd. A total of four players from the qualifier will earn a place at the main event.

“Due to the volume and quality of evidence ESIC has received, ESIC has issued Firefly with a provisional suspension pending conclusion of its investigation into breaches of the ESIC Integrity Programme,” said the commission. Details of the breaches were not disclosed.

According to a post on Chinese forum scboy, published by former player Cao ‘Jim’ Jinhui, he and Firefly allegedly participated in match-fixing starting in 2023.

In recent weeks, Jim claims Firefly owed him money and has refused to reimburse the former player, resulting in Jim reporting Firefly and releasing alleged evidence of match-fixing.

ESIC has already distributed punishments for match fixing in 2025. In May, players and staff from ATOX Esports received bans ranging from eight months to lifetime suspensions.