Machala Disqualified from Rivers Skirmish Division 2 League After Violent Confrontation with Match Official

Pro player Machala has been officially disqualified from the Rivers Skirmish Division 2 League (RSDL) Season 1 and suspended from future 43 Esports activities following a serious breach of conduct during Day 2 of the ongoing league season. The incident, which played out in front of fellow players and officials inside the 43 Esports studio, involved a heated confrontation with a match official that escalated into verbal threat and ultimately, an immediate removal from the league.

What Happened

The incident began when Machala arrived late for a scheduled match. Under league regulations, a standard lateness fee of ₦3,000 applies to any player who fails to arrive on time. When Machala came in to play that day, the match official,  the designated representative of 43 Esports for the day,  requested that the fee be paid before play could continue.

Rather than settle the fee, Machala disputed it. His position was that he had already sent ₦3,000 to 43 Esports for the customization of his jersey, shirt he had requested after winning the “Division 1 Player of the Week” award and that this payment should be applied as an offset against the lateness fine. On the basis of this claim, he asked that the customization funds be used to cover the fee instead.

According to 43 Esports officials, the match official acknowledged this and allowed Machala to proceed with his match, treating the ₦3,000 shirt payment as a temporary stand-in for the lateness fee. It was understood at that point that the shirt customization would no longer be processed by the organizers.

However, after playing, Machala reversed his position. He informed officials that he still expected his customized shirt to be delivered and that he would not be paying the lateness fee. In other words, he sought to retain both the shirt and avoid the penalty, a position that 43 Esports officials say was never agreed upon.

The Confrontation

When officials pressed Machala on the matter, the situation deteriorated rapidly. Rather than engage with the dispute through proper channels, Machala directed a string of insults at the match official. The exchange escalated to the point where Machala reportedly threatened physical harm, telling the official to “meet outside” and threatening to “call boys.”

This happened inside the 43 Esports studio, in full view of other players and officials present that day. The league officials on the ground offered Machala an opportunity to apologize on the spot. He refused.

Following his refusal, Machala was asked to leave the studio. His disqualification from the league was immediate.

43 Esports Responds and Debunks the Claim

When contacted for comment, 43 Esports officials addressed Machala’s claims directly. They confirmed that the ₦3,000 Machala had paid was for a personal customization request, one he had initiated himself. Normally, 43 Esports provides Play of the Week recipients with a standard jersey at no cost; players who wish to have their name printed on the back typically handle that customization independently. Machala had specifically requested that 43 Esports manage this process on his behalf and made the payment accordingly.

Officials also noted a critical inconsistency in Machala’s account: even after claiming the ₦3,000 should cover his lateness fee, he continued asking about the delivery of his customized shirt, a detail that undermined his own argument. You cannot, officials pointed out, use a payment as an offset and still expect the service it was paid for to be rendered.

As of the time of this report, 43 Esports has returned the ₦3,000 to Machala in full. The shirt customization will not be processed.

Where Things Stand

Machala’s disqualification from RSDL Season 1 stands. Beyond the league, 43 Esports officials confirmed he has been suspended from all future 43 Esports activities. Though a pathway back was laid out: Machala is required to submit a formal apology letter and record a video statement addressing the conduct. As of publication, neither has been delivered.

For his part, Machala has stated that he felt the manner in which the official spoke to him was inappropriate. 43 Esports, however, maintains that the official was acting in their designated capacity as the sole representative of the organization at that event, and that any interaction between players and the league on that day was required to go through that official.

The League Continues

While Machala’s situation remains unresolved, RSDL Season 1 has not paused. The league is currently in Week 4, with 13 active players competing for promotion. Shocker leads the table on 29 points, while the bottom four spots remain highlighted for relegation danger.

The Rivers Skirmish Division 2 League Season 1 continues. You can follow the ongoing action on the 43 Esports YouTube Channel.