PGL has stated that the Gambit Esports and Virtus.pro organizations were banned from the future Regional Major Ranking events as well as the PGL Major Antwerp, because of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The Romanian tournament organizer and Valve have recognized the two companies as having connections to the Russian government, in a conclusion identical to ESL’s.
The ongoing Russian invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine has caused immense human suffering and pain. We are all hoping for a peaceful resolution to the war and the minimization of further casualties and tragedy.
PGL Esports
With the current appalling situation in mind, we have decided that individuals and organizations with connections to the Russian government will not be allowed to be represented in upcoming RMR matches and the PGL Antwerp Major.
Therefore, as things stand, we will ban Virtus.pro and Gambit Esports from participating in the RMR and the upcoming PGL Antwerp Major. We will, however, allow the players currently associated with Virtus.pro and Gambit Esport to play under neutral names and jerseys, as we recognize that the players are not complicit in the situation.
Our hearts go out to those affected by the war. We will monitor the situation as it progresses and will be transparent to both the public and participants of our tournaments if further actions are needed.
“MTS, Russia’s largest telecommunications firm, owns Gambit, and its major stakeholder, the AFK Sistema PAO conglomerate, is led by Vladimir Yevtushenkov whose name emerged on the ‘Putin list’ in 2018, as one of 210 politicians and oligarchs linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin. And Virtus.pro, is owned by ESforce Holding, which was acquired by Mail.Ru Group Limited, now known as VK, in 2018. Since December 2021, state-run insurance Sogaz has held a majority share in VK, which is listed on the European Union’s February 28 sanctions list imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.“
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The teams now affiliated with the two organizations will be permitted to compete in the Major cycle under neutral identities, according to PGL. The Virtus.pro squad has been invited to the first European tournament, which will take place from April 17-20, while the Gambit roster has been invited to the second European tournament, which will take place from April 21-24.
When faced with a similar ban from ESL during the current ESL Pro League Season, Gambit and Virtus.pro enabled their teams to play in the competition under the TO’s terms, as the two teams competed under the identities Players and Outsiders, respectively.
