In a stunning turn of events at the BLAST Premier Fall Showdown, TheMongolz have withdrawn from the competition, while Victory Zigzag have been disqualified
BLAST has announced pivotal alterations to the BLAST Premier Fall Showdown, impacting both the European and Rest of the World brackets.
Update on BLAST Premier Fall Showdown 2023. pic.twitter.com/j3JjfdJo3W
— BLAST Premier 💥 (@BLASTPremier) September 29, 2023
BLAST Ousts Victory Zigzag
First among these changes is the disqualification of Victory Zigzag, a team that has been entangled in a series of scandals, primarily linked to the ongoing ESIC investigation. Notably, this investigation revolves around Joel “joel” Holmlund and his alleged involvement in match-fixing during his tenure with GODSENT before the BLAST qualifier.
Initially, BLAST made an announcement that Ivan “Hardwell” Alekseev, the team’s coach, would take over as a replacement player. He, however, later faced a FACEIT ban, rendering him ineligible for the role.
Then came the news that Mikkel “lund” Lund, whom Victory Zigzag had reportedly lined up as a replacement at first, and who had previously competed with the team in the Pelaajat Nordic Masters open qualifier, was given BLAST’s approval to join the Showdown, as detailed by Daniel “mertz” Mertz.
In a retrospective decision, BLAST has unveiled their intention to nullify Victory Zigzag’s spot in the Showdown owing to the ongoing ESIC investigation. Instead, they have handed it to Alliance, who clinched the runner-up position in the Pelaajat Nordic Masters qualifier competing as 416Olsk.
TheMongolZ Not Going To The BLAST Premier Fall Showdown
The team roster saw its second modification as TheMongolz were replaced in the Rest of the World bracket. Their inability to obtain visas in time for their trip to the United States prompted this change.
Due to insufficient time to secure visas, the Asia qualifier’s runners-up, 5yclone, found themselves unable to attend, leading to the invitation of Party Astronauts as the North American qualifier’s runners-up.
