Esports group slams use of ‘scab’ players

The esports players association representing “League of Legends” professionals slammed the video game’s developer for trying to turn to “scab” replacement players amid its walkout over the elimination of an amateur league mandate.

Developer Riot Games said this month it had agreed to drop the mandate for a North American Challengers League after teams asked for its removal.

In response, the League Championship Series Players Association voted “overwhelmingly” to walk out Sunday, less than a week before the summer season’s scheduled start this Thursday.

“The LCSPA has been aware for over a week of attempts to require teams to field scab play- ers at the start of the season,” the players association said Monday.

“We continue to actively reach out to players outside of the LCS with a clear and simple message: Do not agree to play for any LCS org as a replace- ment player … Crossing the line puts all players’ futures at risk.”

Content creator Travis Gaf- ford claims Riot Games has suspended its rank require- ments for players to compete in the League Championship Se- ries.

Riot did not immediately re- spond to a request for com- ment.

In its statement Monday, the players association ex- pressed confidence “players will stand in solidarity and any attempts to make scab rosters will fail.”