Abay ‘HObbit’ Khasenov and men would play as “Players” at the upcoming ESL Pro League S15 after being flagged by ESL to avoid using their original banners citing the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
In the past week, ESL through an official statement have announced that they have cut ties with the Russian government which include individuals or organizations under alleged or confirmed EU sanctions related to the ongoing political conflict between Russia and Ukraine which follows the word that no Russian based teams would be allowed to participate at the Pro League Season 15.
As earlier reported by Dexerto, going into the EPL S15, Virtus.pro would play as Outsiders as said and would gel with the updated rules and regulations set by ESL. A similar situation was also countered at the recently concluded GAMERS GALAXY: Invitational Series Dubai 2022 where Team Spirit who did play under the Russian banner “Team Spirit” wore jerseys that said “PEACE”. Virtus.pro now “Outsiders” would go head to head with FURIA Esports in their Group B opener at the Pro League.
In addition to the same, Gambit has been mentioned among the two teams who won’t be able to participate at the EPL S15 under their original organization although they can compete under a different team name. Today ESL on their Twitter handle have revealed that the Moscow-based Organization would feature as “Players” in the Group C of the ongoing ESL Pro League Season 15.
Unlike BLAST and WePlay, ESL never held the players guilty for the current conflict and gave them a safe passage to compete. In addition, they would have to change their team merchandise which should not represent anything related to the Russian ethnicity.
Ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, massive business conglomerates have decided to either pull out of the CIS region or discontinue their services until there is clarity on the political tensions although there has been a massive support in the interest of Ukraine.
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