Photo credit: www.dexerto.com
Preston ‘Juv3nile’ Dornon, a 36-year-old coach in the popular game Valorant, has received a one-year suspension from competitive play following numerous allegations of inappropriate direct messages sent to multiple women. The decision by Riot Games comes in the wake of these DMs being publicly shared, sparking widespread conversation about conduct within the esports community.
For years, Juv3nile has been a recognized figure in Valorant coaching, recently achieving notable success with the team Leviatán during their VCT 2024 campaign, which nearly propelled them into the final competition. However, the fallout from the recent allegations has led to him being banned from all Riot-sanctioned events and terminated from his position with Global Esports.
The situation escalated after several women who had been contacted by Juv3nile came forward, correlating it with earlier concerns regarding another coach, Fantomas, who was accused of similarly inappropriate behavior. While investigations into Fantomas have not advanced significantly, his case prompted additional women to share their negative experiences with Juv3nile.
Juv3nile suspended from Valorant competitive over DMs
In testimony shared on social media, multiple women indicated they had received similar, often unsolicited messages from Juv3nile, described as formulaic and intrusive. Many of these messages attempted to initiate conversations by drawing on common topics, but were criticized for being overly forward and predatory in nature. For instance, some alleged correspondences detailed proposals to meet in person under questionable circumstances.
One selected comment from a response highlighted Juv3nile’s approach: “I gotchu, let’s duo so I can start to gaslight you, then I fly you in IRL to watch us at Riot Arena.” Such messages reflect a trend in his outreach, including attempts to allure recipients with offers of free coaching and boasts about his lifestyle, supposedly to engage them further.
Many women reported ongoing communications lasting several months without reciprocation, showcasing a persistent pattern of unwanted advances. The revelations have generated significant community backlash, with discussions online reflecting just how disturbing these interactions were perceived, leading Riot Games to label the behavior as harassment and a breach of their policies.
Consequently, Riot officially announced, “After careful consideration of the matter, Juv3nile will be suspended from all Riot-sanctioned esports competitions for 12 months starting from April 4, 2025.” Additionally, he is mandated to undergo training aimed at improving his understanding of professional conduct and interpersonal respect.
Public commentary surrounding Juv3nile’s actions has dominated social media, with many expressing shock and disapproval. Users have described his messaging style as lacking charisma, even labeling him as ‘weirdo’ regarding his approach to connecting with potential gaming partners. Remarks about his conduct have ranged from ridicule to serious critiques of the implications of such behavior in a professional setting.
While the esports community reacts vigorously to this incident, Juv3nile has remained silent since the emergence of the allegations, with his social media presence quiet since March 19, the date several women began disclosing their respective direct messages. This suspension and the ensuing discourse serve as a pivotal moment for the industry, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and respect within competitive gaming.
Source
www.dexerto.com