Chinese event organizer ImbaTV and the recently<\/a>–<\/a>established Chinese Dota 2<\/em> Professional Association<\/a> have issued a lifetime blacklist for The International 2014 champions, Newbee.\u00a0<\/p>
ImbaTV<\/a> and the CDA<\/a> both released official statements on Weibo earlier today. The two organizations are collaborating on the Chinese Dota <\/em>Professional League, which is in its second season. Newbee has been ejected from the tournament due to match-fixing allegations. All remaining series will count as a win for their opponents.<\/p>
Newbee released an official statement<\/a> in response to the bans. The club acknowledged and respected the CDA\u2019s decision, but reaffirmed that since its establishment, the Newbee organization has not participated in any match-fixing or gambling practices. Newbee will appeal the punishment for the club, but likely won’t contest it for the players or manager.<\/p>
In addition, Newbee said it conducted an internal investigation when match-fixing allegations reached them. In February, a qualifier series between Newbee and Avengerls<\/a> for the StarLadder ImbaTV Minor was under such suspicions. Ex-Newbee captain Zhang \u201cxiao8\u201d Ning even said he’d stream himself eating feces if the match wasn\u2019t fixed.<\/p>