Riot Issues 12-Month Hardware Ban to canezerra, ENVY Terminates Contract Immediately

Tung "Ginn" Duong
1 day ago
2 min read

In a major blow to one of North America’s most promising young VALORANT talents, ENVY has officially terminated its contract with Alex “canezerra” Banyasz after Riot Games issued a 12-month hardware ban.

canezerra receives 12-month hardware ban from Riot as ENVY terminates contract. Full details on the Valorant controversy and player response.

The 17-year-old (turning 18 in June) was widely regarded as one of the top flex/duelist prospects in the North American scene. He had been grinding VALORANT for nearly five years and was expected to become eligible for VCT competition with ENVY once he met the age requirement later this year.

canezerra Hardware Ban and Contract Termination

Riot Games enforced the canezerra hardware ban on April 16, 2026, citing multiple violations of its Terms of Service.

The ban prevents him from:

Playing any Riot Games titles
Competing in official events
Streaming Riot games
Participating in promotional activities

This restriction will remain in place for a full year.

While Riot has not disclosed the exact incident, community discussions and canezerra’s own statement indicate the ban stemmed from toxic behavior, including discriminatory language in a ranked match. Importantly, the punishment is not related to cheating.

Shortly after the ban was issued, ENVY confirmed it had terminated the player’s contract, as the hardware ban makes it impossible for him to represent the organization competitively.

canezerra Issues Public Apology

Following the announcement, canezerra posted a detailed apology on X, taking full responsibility for his actions:

“I made a serious mistake and said things I deeply regret. There’s no excuse for it.I’m really sorry to my fans, Envy, Riot, and everyone who supports me — I’ve let you down. Ever since I started playing this game, I’ve wanted to be the best. For the past five years I’ve put in close to 10 hours a day grinding and trying to improve. During that time, especially in ranked, I’ve acted immaturely, and this is a clear wake-up call that I need to be better. As I approach 18, I want to become a better example, not a bad one. I accept my punishment and will use this time to grow and make sure it never happens again.”

The statement highlights both accountability and a commitment to personal growth as he serves the suspension.

Impact on canezerra’s Career

The canezerra hardware ban comes at a critical point in his career.

He was nearing eligibility for VCT competition
ENVY had positioned him as a future roster piece
He was gaining traction as a rising NA prospect

With the ban extending until April 2027, his competitive progression is now on hold.

Community Reaction and Bigger Picture

The incident has reignited discussions around:

Riot Games’ zero-tolerance policy on toxicity and hate speech
The pressure on young esports players transitioning to professional environments
Accountability and conduct in ranked and public play

Riot has consistently enforced strict behavioral standards, signaling that even top prospects are not exempt from disciplinary action.