FunPlus Phoenix Cuts IGL kovaQ For Saying a Slur in Match Chat

VALORANT can get pretty heated, but at a tournament level, it’s important for players to keep their cool. After footage showed FPX player kovaQ typing a racial slur in match chat, the team has fired him for inappropriate communications and is participating in a tournament-level investigation. Here’s a recap of the situation.

FunPlus Phoenix Fires kovaQ Due to Slur in VCT Chat

On August 28, 2026, VCT team FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) terminated IGL and VALORANT team captain Blendi “kovaQ” Kovaci’s contract. This decision stemmed from resurfaced footage where he typed a racial slur during a game, leading to repercussions.

kovaQ was part of the FPX core roster for the past five months. Previously, he played for Team Vitality and CGN Esports. After shifting teams in March, the Swiss and Albanian pro made a career transition from the VALORANT Champions Tour’s EMEA region to VCT China, completely changing which teams he competes with and against.

The pro, a Controller main, represented FPX in VCT China Stage 1 and Stage 2 throughout Spring and Summer 2026. He also participated in the Esports World Cup’s Qualifier portion, among other international S-tier events.

You cannot be this stupid it shouldn't be possible https://t.co/NW7iljd7IA

— Talia 🍉 (@Underdog840) August 28, 2026

kovaQ reportedly messaged another player and called them an anti-Asian racial slur. There are screenshots and livestream records of the communication.

Netizens were shocked at how obvious and well-documented kovaQ’s actions were. One user, @Underdog840, wrote, “You cannot be this stupid, it shouldn’t be possible.”

After kovaQ’s actions came to light, FPX ‘terminated all ties’ with him and made an official statement confirming his removal on Weibo. The team wrote that kovaQ’s departure occurs after an internal investigation, and implied that a larger tournament-level investigation may be occurring within the VCT, too. If VCT authorities make a similar ruling, kovaQ could face penalties or expulsion from the circuit.

FPX’s Statement

The text, translated from its original Chinese, reads:

“Recently, our division’s player kovaQ made inappropriate remarks during a gaming exchange with teammates. The club takes this matter extremely seriously and immediately launched an internal investigation, initiated emergency management and review procedures, and imposed a suspension from training, competition, and salary, while cooperating with the league’s investigation.

After deliberation, the club has decided to terminate all cooperative relations with player kovaQ (Kovaci Blendi) effective immediately. Follow-up competition arrangements will be finalized based on the league’s final ruling and relevant regulations.

Professional players are required not only to follow competitive rules on the field of play, but also to consistently maintain professional conduct, strictly regulate their own words and actions, and take responsibility for their behavior and its consequences. FPX Esports Club has always maintained a clear and firm stance against any inappropriate remarks or expressions. At the same time, as future roster adjustments must comply with relevant rules, we will coordinate and communicate based on actual circumstances, making every effort to ensure the team’s competitions proceed smoothly.

We sincerely apologize for the negative impact caused by this incident. Going forward, the club will take this as a lesson and continue to strengthen ongoing education and management regarding players’ professional conduct, speech and behavior standards, and related disciplinary requirements, in order to prevent similar incidents from happening again.”

kovaQ Responds

Hello everyone, I wanted to apologize for what I wrote. I sent something to my teammate that was inappropriate towards a lot of people. In that moment I meant it as a joke, but looking back at it, I deeply regret ever writing it.

I understand why people are angry and I know that…

— FPX kovaQ (@kovaq1) August 28, 2026

kovaQ released a statement regarding his contract termination on his official X.com account, which reads:

“Hello everyone, I wanted to apologize for what I wrote. I sent something to my teammate that was inappropriate towards a lot of people. In that moment I meant it as a joke, but looking back at it, I deeply regret ever writing it.

I understand why people are angry and I know that what I said was wrong. There’s really no excuse for it and I take full responsibility for what I wrote.

I’m sorry to everyone I hurt or offended, and I also want to apologize to my teammates, the organization, and everyone around me who was affected by this.

I made a mistake that I shouldn’t have made, and I take full responsibility for it. Thanks to FPX for the opportunity to be part of this project and for everything you’ve done for me.

I’ll be taking some time away from social media to reflect and reset. Please don’t send any hate or anger toward my teammates or FPX. They don’t deserve any of it. If you feel like you need to direct that frustration at someone, direct it at me instead.”

What Does This Mean for VALORANT?

This isn’t the first time a VCT level player, partnered streamer, or pro has come under fire for inappropriate communications. Earlier this year, partnered streamer Ardiis and VCT ex-pro Leo attracted controversy for their remarks about the VCT’s Game Changers circuit. Often, the player in question’s team handles the matter first. It may then escalate to a tournament-level investigation, where VCT authorities make a judgement on the player’s actions.

Competitive ruling punishments can range from temporary suspension to permanent expulsions. In addition, players can be required to pay fines for violating tournament regulations.

Stay tuned for more VALORANT esports and in-game news.