FPX Fires kovaQ After Inappropriate In-Game Remarks

FPX fired Blendi “kovaQ” Kovaci from its VALORANT roster after an internal investigation into what the organisation called “inappropriate remarks” during an in-game exchange with teammates. Before ending its relationship with the in-game leader, FPX said it had suspended him from training and competition, withheld his salary, and cooperated with a league investigation.

Kovaci apologised later the same day, acknowledging that he had sent a message to a teammate that was inappropriate towards “a lot of people”. He said he had intended it as a joke at the time, but accepted that the message was wrong and said there was no excuse for writing it.

FPX Terminated kovaQ After an Internal Investigation

In its official Weibo statement, FPX said it began an internal investigation and emergency disciplinary process after learning about Kovaci’s remarks. That initial response included suspending him from training and matches and stopping his salary while the organisation cooperated with the league’s investigation.

FPX then decided to terminate all cooperation with Kovaci effective immediately. The organisation said professional players are expected to follow competitive rules while also maintaining appropriate professional conduct and accepting responsibility for the effects of their behaviour.

The club also said future competition and roster arrangements would need to follow the league’s eventual ruling and relevant regulations. That leaves FPX’s own termination as an immediate decision while the wider disciplinary process remains separate.

kovaQ Says There Was “No Excuse” for His Message

Kovaci addressed the incident through his X account, saying he deeply regretted sending the message despite considering it a joke when he wrote 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.”

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

He apologised to people who were hurt or offended, as well as his teammates, FPX, and others affected by the incident. Kovaci also thanked the organisation for the opportunity to play for the team and said he would step away from social media to “reflect and reset”.

His statement finished by asking people not to direct hate towards his former teammates or FPX. Kovaci said anyone angry about the situation should direct that frustration towards him instead.

Reports Say the Message Contained Racist Language

FPX did not reproduce Kovaci’s message in its announcement, describing the incident only as inappropriate remarks made during communication with teammates. THESPIKE reported that the expression was a derogatory insult targeting Chinese people and other East or Southeast Asian communities, and said the comment had been captured on stream before circulating online.

Hotspawn likewise characterised the message as racially insensitive. Kovaci’s own apology did not repeat the wording, but acknowledged that what he wrote was inappropriate towards a large group of people and accepted responsibility for it.

kovaQ Spent Around Five Months With FPX

Kovaci joined FPX in March 2026 and spent roughly five months with the Chinese organisation, primarily competing as a Controller and serving as its in-game leader. The move brought him into VCT China after previous competition in Europe.

Before joining FPX, he had played for Team Vitality in VCT EMEA during 2025 and competed for Challengers teams including CGN Esports, ALTERNATE aTTaX, and KVM Esports. He also took part in Esports World Cup qualifying during his 2026 stint with FPX.

FPX finished fifth to eighth at both VALORANT China Evolution Series 2026 Act 1 and Act 2, then placed 11th to 12th in VCT China Stage 1 and Stage 2. Its Stage 2 run ended in the Play-Ins, leaving the team outside VALORANT Champions qualification contention.

Hotspawn reported that Kovaci had been contracted to FPX through 2027 before his removal. Ending the deal in August therefore cuts short a stint that had been expected to continue into the next VCT season.

FPX Now Has Four Active Players

Kovaci’s departure leaves four players on FPX’s listed active VALORANT roster:

• Zhang “AAAAY” Yang
• Colin “coconut” Patrick Chung
• Zhao “Xlele” Yanbo
• Ou “Setrod” Taigeng

FPX VALORANT Staff

• Guan “9hr” Haoran, manager
• Nikola “LEGIJA” Ninić, head coach
• Yao “York” Kun, assistant coach
• Zhang “PHO” Shicheng, staff

FPX has not announced who will replace Kovaci. With its 2026 VCT China campaign already over, the organisation’s next roster move is expected to come around the offseason, with FPX saying its competition arrangements will also need to account for the league’s final ruling.