ENVY has parted ways with VALORANT player Alex “Canezerra” Banyasz. The move follows a 12-month hardware ban from Riot Games for multiple Terms of Service violations. The organization announced the decision on April 16, 2026.
The ban covers every Riot title. It stops the 17-year-old from playing, competing, streaming, or joining any promotional work tied to Riot games. ENVY said it had no option but to end his contract.
Why ENVY Had to End the Contract
ENVY made its position clear in an official statement. The club said the termination was forced, not chosen.
A hardware ban is one of the toughest tools Riot uses. Unlike a normal account suspension, it restricts access at the device level. A new account will not help the player return during the ban period.
In its post, ENVY said: “We have been informed that Canezerra has received a 12-month hardware ban from Riot Games. After a careful review of Canezerra’s behavior while playing Riot’s games, they found multiple violations of their Terms of Service. This was not a ban for cheating.”
The club added that the scope of the ruling left no path forward. The full penalty blocks Canezerra from any Riot-related activity for a year. Since his role on the team depended on that access, the contract ended with immediate effect.
Who Is Canezerra?
Alex Banyasz is an American duelist. He was 17 at the time of the ban. He was set to turn 18 in June 2026, which would have made him eligible to play in VCT Americas.
He joined RANKERS in 2024. The roster included ex-100 Thieves player Inspire, P0PPIN, ion2x, and Eggsterr. ENVY acquired the lineup in March 2025 as part of its return to VALORANT after nearly four years away from the title.
The team went on to win Ascension Americas 2025. They beat TSM in the grand final, which earned them a spot in VCT Americas 2026. Canezerra had strong numbers during the playoff run and dropped more than 20 kills in five separate maps. ENVY’s Ascension run over TSM was a major step in the org’s return to tier 1 play.
Because of his age, he could not compete in VCT and stayed on the bench. The ban now closes that door for a year.
Canezerra’s Apology
Canezerra posted a public apology the same day. He took responsibility and did not argue the punishment.
“I made a serious mistake and said things I deeply regret. There’s no excuse for it,” he wrote on X. “I’m really sorry to my fans, Envy, Riot, and everyone who supports me. I’ve let you down.”
He also spoke about his routine. He said he had spent close to 10 hours a day on VALORANT for the past five years. He added that he had acted immaturely in ranked games and called the ban a wake-up call.
In the same statement, he shared his plan. “I’m fully committed to this game and to coming back the right way.” The ban runs until April 17, 2027.
What Riot Has Said About the Violations
Riot has not publicly listed the exact violations. ENVY confirmed only that the ban was not for cheating. It stemmed from behavior and conduct issues under the Terms of Service.
A full hardware ban is rare. Riot usually reserves this level of penalty for extreme or repeated misconduct. Reports from community sources and Canezerra’s Liquipedia profile confirm the 12-month scope and the immediate contract release.
This is not the first time Riot has issued a long ban for conduct. Earlier in 2025, Valorant coach Juv3nile received a 12-month ban over inappropriate DMs. Riot has also suspended players and coaches before for toxic speech, leaks, and other code of conduct breaches.
Fan Reaction and Community Response
Fan reaction has been split. Some fans pointed to his age and said the penalty was harsh. Others said pro players must meet a higher standard.
Most agreed on one point. ENVY had no real choice. With a hardware ban in place, the player cannot log in, stream, or appear in any Riot-linked content. Keeping him on the roster was not possible.
ENVY’s VCT Americas 2026 plans now shift. The team had already been planning around Canezerra’s eventual debut once he turned 18. That plan is on hold for at least a year.
What Happens Next
Canezerra will be banned from all Riot titles until April 17, 2027. He said he plans to use the time to grow and return the right way.
For ENVY, the focus moves to the current roster and the 2026 season. The club will need to fill the slot it had reserved for him. For the wider scene, the ruling adds one more case to Riot’s growing list of conduct-based bans in VALORANT esports. The format for VCT itself is also shifting soon, with the new VCT 2027 structure opening more paths for young talent, though Canezerra will miss that first wave.
ENVY’s full statement is available on its official X account.
