Its probably bs, but I can say back when NA FPL was going on it was painful as hell to watch. Almost everyone was an asshole in those games and exactly what you mention happened all the time. Almost no one likes him but you could just watch BSJ get constantly shit on by Ixmike, Demon, Mason, Rtz, etc while they were all shitting on each other. Its a miracle the league even lasted as long as it did.
Conversely watching the Euro FPL while it was up was almost completely differential.
Can't remember the actual name of those leagues, just using FPL as a catch all. Whatever the one where you were invited. NEL? ixdl?