Content Warning: This article mentions sexual harassment and assault. If you have suffered from any of the issues discussed in this article and are seeking help, please visit the Survivors Trust website to access the available helplines.
Former professional League of Legends player, Matúš ‘Neon’ Jakubčík, has made accusations of sexual harassment against an unnamed individual from his former organisation. Neon’s sexual harassment experience occurred when he was only 18 years old.
Despite this, the report has largely gone under the radar, failing to spark any significant discussion about safety in esports. This brings to light broader issues surrounding the management of sexual abuse cases in esports.
Neon’s sexual harassment experience is highlighted in comments about Origen staff
The former LEC player, who has played for the likes of Misfits Gaming, Schalke 04, and Team Vitality, was allegedly sexually harassed in 2017.
In a YouTube video that Neon posted on his personal channel, he discussed interactions with a staff member from Origen. He played for the organisation in Liga de Videojuegos Profesional (LVP) at the time.
The harassment unfolded while Neon was staying in a hotel room with what he believed to be a 40-50-year-old man. Origen was sharing hotel rooms between members of the organisation, a common practice in esports.
While in the room, the man offered to rewatch the day’s games with Neon. He then began repeatedly suggesting that they watch pornographic content together.
Neon took this suggestion as an awkward joke. So, he attempted to continue watching the replay of the League of Legends games.
However, he had started feeling very uncomfortable. In the YouTube video, he explained that he “actually began suspecting that something could be up.”
From this point, the situation escalated to outright alleged harassment.
Origen had possession of the players’ phone numbers, allowing staff members to send messages directly to the roster. According to Neon, he received a message from an unknown Spanish number. The message he received asked, “Can I suck your c*ck?”
Recalling his reaction to the incident, Neon described freezing up, not knowing what was happening, especially as an 18-year-old with almost no sexual experience.
The man confirmed that it was he who sent the message, proceeding to verbally re-ask the question. Neon explained that in the moment, he felt he had to laugh at the incident, taking a careful, mediatory approach.
Neon could not sleep for that entire night. He confirms that the man did not try to make physical advances following this.
The stress of publicly revealing harassment and assault cases in esports and gaming
Despite Neon posting the YouTube video describing his experience two weeks ago, it has received minimal attention from the League of Legends community.
Before moving on to other content in his YouTube video, Neon expressed that now he has told his own story, “maybe there are people who were in a similar situation who can come out themselves.”
Sexual harassment and assault are issues that run rampant through the esports and gaming communities, but are often swept under the rug or left relatively unaddressed.
The extensive nature of the issue has been exposed on several occasions. Notably, in 2021, League of Legends publisher Riot Games were forced to pay $100 million USD (~£74.3m) following a 2018 class-action gender discrimination case.
Both sexually harassing and inappropriate communications, and the sending of unsolicited pornographic imagery were included in this lawsuit.
Call of Duty and Overwatch publisher Activision Blizzard also settled a sexual harassment case for $18 million USD (~£13.2m) the same year.
More recently, sexual harassment and assault at TwitchCon Rotterdam hit the headlines. The behaviour of both attendees and staff spiralled out of control. This followed a pattern of behaviour from attendees that had been evident over several years.
The volume of harassment and assault within the esports and gaming industries results in many cases flying under the radar.
Despite the severity of Neon’s allegations, given his position, age, and vulnerability, it has received only low levels of attention. This highlights a significant need to examine the way players and other professionals are safeguarded and protected at events.
A distinct lack of community discussion or reaction to Neon’s sexual harassment emphasises that a misunderstanding of the severity of these cases persists.
If you have been affected by any of the topics discussed in this article and need to reach out for help, please visit The Survivors Trust. On their website, you can find links and phone numbers for major charities and organisations supporting sexual harassment and sexual assault survivors.
Safeline provides support and confidential services specifically for men who have experienced sexual harassment or abuse.
Hannah is a writer specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, although it may never surpass her drive to passionately beat her friends in every game of Mariokart. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ESI London, EGX, Discover: Esports and many League of Legends watch parties.