Into the Breach to shut down after club director caught embezzling funds

UK-based organisation Into the Breach has been left in a "unsustainable position" after an investigation found that "an individual entrusted with all financial and monetary decisions was embezzling funds for personal use". As a result, the club plans to cease all esports activities. This is stated in an official statement from Into the Breach, which claims:

Recent events at Into the Breach (ITB) have highlighted significant mismanagement within the organization. Upon further investigation, we discovered that an individual entrusted with all financial and monetary decisions was embezzling funds for personal use. This betrayal has left ITB in an unsustainable position, and with deep regret, we must begin the process of winding down our operations.

This is a heartbreaking moment for all of us. ITB was built on the passion of underdogs and the belief that hard work could overcome any odds. But more than anything, it was built on you—our fans. Your support, your chants, and your unwavering belief in us have been our driving force. We are so sorry to let you down.

We’re working with legal and financial advisors to handle this situation transparently and responsibly. Our priority is to support our players, staff, and partners during this difficult transition.

To our fans—thank you for being the heart of ITB. This isn’t the ending we wanted, but your support has meant everything. While this chapter may be closing, we hope to find a way to honor the legacy we’ve built together.

The announcement refers to the organisation's CEO Sam "SlayTheMinotaur" Macedonio Cook, who in a separate statement admitted that he acted as two different people: one who tried to match the efforts of his team, and the other who was "a destructive, alcoholic narcissist hellbent on self-immolation".

Cook acknowledged that there will be serious legal consequences for his actions, which he will accept, and also stated that "people will be made as whole as possible with what funds are available".

SlayTheMinotaur also specified that the company made about $5 million in 2023 and about $1.9 million in 2024, while he took about $650,000 in director loans, but did so at the wrong time and without following the proper process. He also added that he "blew it all on benders and self-harm action". The full text of SlayTheMinotaur's statement looks as follows:

April 8th 2023 ITB qualifies to the Paris Major.

The company experiences massive growth, a legacy and, if handled correctly, the foundation required to create a fully funded operation supporting several esport aspirations and capable of going years into the future.

Veb, Kuba, Momo, Bainy, Blainey, Punico and more recently Bevve, TeaGuv and Raine all played their part perfectly, and deserve every opportunity afforded to them. Brilliant people and innately hard working.

Unfortunately, I, the CEO, was acting as two people – one trying to match their efforts and another a destructive, alcoholic narcissist hellbent on self-immolation. I think everyone whose met me has likely seen one of these two sides, with the former able to convince everyone around me I was a sensible person, acting responsibly and not betraying their trust, while the later disappears in fiendish pursuit of dopamine and self-harm. The ultimate caricature which embodies the worst of people and this industry.

The result is a house of cards repeatedly knocked down and then rebuilt hastily in the wake of my actions. We still managed to achieve a lot despite sabotage, which just goes to show what could have been achieved without it. Today, that house falls permanently, and I nor anyone around me can fix it.

ITB goes under, people lose employment, salaries will go unpaid, money lost, hate created – all my fault and responsibility.

They’ll be several legal consequences of this, all of which I’ll accept and face. People will be made as whole as possible with what funds are available. This’ll be managed outside my influence.

Sorry will fall rightly flat and on deaf ears, but I’m sorry not the less.

For anyone not wanting to become another cliché example of how to fuck up your life – fix your character flaws, mental and destructive tendencies before you find success, otherwise you’ll just build on wet sand.

Note that the current Into the Breach roster has not attended a single LAN tournament. The squad did not participate in the qualifiers for the Shanghai Major. At the moment, the team occupies 70th place in HLTV ranking.

Into the Breach are now: