BLAST: "We have been given no reason to question Astralis’ original statement to us"

24-9-2024 19:40

The tournament organizer stood by its decision despite protests from in-game leaders and rampant community discontent.

cadiaN will be allowed to play for Astralis after BLAST stood by its decision

BLAST has issued a public statement regarding its decision to allow Astralis an emergency substitution for BLAST Premier Fall Final, outlining its policy and previous applications of its rules before stating that it has been given "no reason to question Astralis' original statement to [BLAST]."

The Danish organizer added that the decision to allow them to use an emergency substitute at Fall Final will stand, with the ruling coming after it stated earlier that it was "seeking further clarification from Astralis" in the case.

BLAST seek further clarification from Astralis in emergency substitution case

"Regarding the emergency substitution used by Astralis at the Fall Final: BLAST’s policy has always allowed such substitutions for health-related reasons that are beyond a team’s control when no other eligible player has been registered," the statement began.

"As of the 2024 Fall Final, BLAST’s rulebook does not bind a team regarding who they appoint as their emergency substitute. From 2025, we will look into ensuring our rulebook is more aligned to the Majors and the parameters of emergency substitutes are better clarified."

The tournament organizer's response comes after six out of seven in-game leaders skipped the tournament organizer's media day and all seven — except Casper "⁠cadiaN⁠" Møller — signed and issued an open letter in protest of BLAST allowing the substitution.

In it, the captains argued for tournament integrity, compared BLAST's application of the rules to decisions made at its previous events where coaches were forced to play instead, and expressed a firm stance on the exploitation of mental health or physical health issues as a means to justify the allowance of an emergency substitute.

Seven captains unite to protest BLAST-Astralis decision in open letter

BLAST responded to a part of the letter, addressing its previous applications of the emergency substitution clause.

"In the past we have denied emergency substitutions when the root cause is visa issues. Per our rulebook, visas are typically the responsibility of the teams and are not considered valid grounds for emergency substitutes in the vast majority of cases.

"When it comes to player health, we take team statements at face value. As a general rule, if these statements were subsequently proved to be false, we reserve the right to impose severe sanctions such as denying World Final qualification and/or additional prize pool penalties."

BLAST has been under heavy scrutiny after HLTV reported it allowed Astralis an emergency substitution to allow cadiaN to replace Alexander "⁠br0⁠" Bro after the roster deadline had passed.

In seeking the substitution, Astralis told BLAST that br0 was "unfit to play" rather than any specific medical or health-related issue, with that language turned by BLAST into "a medical emergency" in its communication to teams about allowing the change.

BLAST seek further clarification from Astralis in emergency substitution case

That was in contrast to the statement made by br0's agent shortly after his benching, which stated that the 22-year-old was "healthy and ready to perform."

HLTV reached out to BLAST regarding the statement from br0's agent and their stance that they have been given no reason to doubt Astralis' statement, but did not hear back at the time of publication.

BLAST Fall Final is scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 12:00 .

nice joke

2024-09-24 19:40

lol

xaxaxaxaxaxa

Astralis really got Blast on a leash

I think they blocked br0's agent twitter

OK, lick as much you want.

wtf is this hahahhhaha "no reason"

2024-09-24 19:41

clowns

so much drama over nothing astralis will be eliminated instantly and people will forget about this in a week

21 replies

-1

4 replies

You can -1 as much as you want, his comment still has more "+" than yours.

2024-09-24 21:50

3 replies

so what

2024-09-24 21:53

2 replies

Cry

2024-09-24 21:55

1 reply

Says the crying guy

2024-09-24 22:58

-2

2024-09-24 19:44

-3

Maybe Vitality will opt for a no-show and gift them a default win.

2024-09-24 19:47

If no player shows up to tournament day I will be instant new fan of 7 orgs

2024-09-24 19:54

Well, apex is injured so they might have to.

2024-09-24 19:56

Imagine how hilarious it would be if the other 7 teams’ igls sat out and they all put their coaches in their stead. That would be glorious.

2024-09-24 21:56

-4

People won't forget. Result for astralis can only be bad. Winning - hate. Losing - mockery. Hltv will rage anyway.

2024-09-24 19:55

People will forget in 2 weeks, like they usually do.

2024-09-24 21:49

Sadly this will be the truth. Astralis is involved in controversity every 3 months and nobody seems to remember otherwise nobody would support this shit team

2024-09-24 23:05

-5 literally missed the point

2024-09-24 20:00

i will remind you now and then

2024-09-24 20:07

-6 flag flair obviously

2024-09-24 20:19

+99999

2024-09-24 20:43

-99999

2024-09-24 20:54

Clownstralis Rules are equal to everyone, but I guess danish company gives handicap only to non-danish teams

2024-09-24 22:32

usual blast L

Also if br0 is unfit to play why not get ruggah to play

2024-09-24 19:42

if the play book allows it there's no reason why not to use an actual player but that's another topic

2024-09-24 21:12

The playbook doesn't allow it. It allows it ONLY "when no other eligible player has been registered". Ruggah was registered as the alternate at roster lock 3 weeks ago, and is still eligible to play. Therefore, he must play.

2024-09-25 02:24

it's literally corruption, both Blast and Astralis are friends, they are owned by the same entities and they even shuffle people between them, a lot of people who have worked in Blast and Astralis have worked in both companies. If Blast allows Astralis to play with a better roster, they get more views. Astralis gets more views and clicks to present to investors/sponsors, both get to profit off of breaking the rules because they are in bed together. I know I won't watch Blast, and specifically I won't be watching any Astralis games anymore. It's what I can do.

2024-09-25 06:35

yea that's why i said if only the playbook allows it

2024-09-26 00:59

0/8

Huge L

Fuck Blastralis, piece of shit orgs

lmao what a joke

2024-09-24 19:43

BLAstralis

From a viewer perspective, I think it will be more entertaining to see Cadian play with Astralis. However, from an integrity perspective, this is horrible as it is a blatant bending of the rules to give special treatment to Astralis who clearly have a special relationship with the tournament organizers for this to happen. Very bad response from Blast to this situation, who should take responsibility to stop Astralis with their scummy moves. Regards

BLAST pretty much ruined their own future with this move. If any Tier 1 team plays BLAST events in 2025 I will be very surprised.

2024-09-24 20:40

Astralis going 0-2 anyway.....

2024-09-24 19:45

b(L)ast

omegalul

2024-09-24 19:46

Honestly, Astralis's the one who's most at fault here. BLAST shouldn't need to invade a player's privacy to ensure they really have health issues when an org claims a player of them does. Astralis acted in bad faith here and put BLAST on a really troubling spot and should be punished accordingly.

14 replies

"In seeking the substitution, Astralis told BLAST that br0 was "unfit to play" rather than any specific medical or health-related issue, with that language turned by BLAST into "a medical emergency" in its communication to teams about allowing the change."

2024-09-24 20:02

If an org acts in good faith, a player being "unfit to play" is enough to qualify as a health-related issue. There's no need to get into the specifics of the medical issue and invade a player's privacy *if all parts act in good faith*. Astralis was the one who acted in bad faith here and used the health clause of the rulebook as a subterfuge to realize an illegal substitution. BLAST should've worded that clause better and been more specific, and I'm sure they're going to revise it now, but, again, in my honest opinion, who's most at fault here is Astralis for having acted in bad faith and taken advantage of a clause in the rulebook meant to protect teams and players alike. Just disgusting behavior coming from them, honestly.

2024-09-24 20:34

But Astralis dind't say it was because of health issues, they just said that he was unfit to play and BLAST turned it into a medical emergency when they gave the reasons on why they allowed the change. Both are at fault here, BLAST and Astralis. Especially knowing the relationship between those two in the past.

2024-09-24 23:49

What could "unfit to play" mean in a normal, good-faith context other than "health emergency"?

2024-09-25 00:28

BLAST themselves said that they only allow emergency subs when health is in question which means Astralis declared the "unfit to play" as a health issue otherwise it would have been overturned. BLAST went by the rules and Astralis acted in bad faith. BLAST will commence a clarification and Astralis will likely be penalized as br0's agent already debunked the health issue by declaring that br0 is healthy and can play. BLAST would have done the same on any other team, just that no other org/team would blatantly act like how Astralis did. So yeah, it is Astralis and Astralis's fault only. What a fucking fall from grace.

2024-09-25 04:29

even if br0 really was ill, ruggah should have to play instead of cadian

2024-09-24 20:24

8 replies

Not according to their rulebook. Health-related issues are grounds for an emergency sub on BLAST-organized tournaments. Coaches were made to play in other, not-health-related circumstances, such as visa issues. That's what the article said.

2024-09-24 20:30

7 replies

Read more closely. The rules allow an emergency sub ONLY "when no other eligible player has been registered". It's right there in Blast's statement. Ruggah was registered 3 weeks ago as the substitute, and he is still eligible to play. Therefore Astralis is not eligible for an emergency sub (they still have 5 registered, healthy, eligible players), and ruggah must play.

2024-09-25 02:28

6 replies

You forgot this second clause: "As of the 2024 Fall Final, BLAST’s rulebook does not bind a team regarding who they appoint as their emergency substitute." This means they can get anyone as long as its ruled as an emergency substitution. As mentioned by #64, the only time coaches or whoever they registered as the 6th man are bound to play is when its ruled out as non-emergency

2024-09-25 04:36

5 replies

Incorrect, read the rules. A team ONLY qualifies for an emergency sub if they do not have any eligible registered players. Ruggah is eligible, registered, and healthy. IF Astralis qualified for an emergency sub, then you would be correct, that emergency sub could be anyone. However they do not qualify for an emergency sub, because they still have registered, eligible players.

2024-09-25 16:43

The rules have only stated that "They should always use registered substitutes" and were followed by "Can apply emergency substitutions due to illness and similar" which is under the discretion of BLAST to accept or reject the application. This means they are only advocating it, not that its an absolute rule. BLAST accepted the emergency request as it was declared an illness issue hence Astralis was able to "choose" a replacement. In summary, you are incorrect and it brings us back again to the above clause already mentioned. Read the rules under 2024, you might be reading a rule prior that rulebook.

2024-09-26 07:25

You and Astralis are trying to create a loophole where it really doesn't exist. The rules clearly state in multiple places that coaches are substitutes, both in the roster section and in the section about coaches specifically. Then, in the section about emergency subs, "Where possible, Teams should always use registered substitutes included on the Submitted Roster. However, in some cases it may be necessary for a Team to apply for an emergency replacement after the submission of the Submitted Roster due to issues such as illness, injury, and travel disruption." Note the inclusion of travel disruption. There is no special case for illness. There is also clear precedent for the interpretation of the rules - multiple teams in the past have been forced to use their coach rather than an emergency sub. Even if you want to claim that on the finest of technicalities Blast isn't actually "breaking" the rules (I disagree), they are undeniably applying them unevenly.

2024-09-26 17:27

You just perfectly explained the loophole that was happening bro lol don't say it doesn't exist in this case. We're already at a point where the rulings are established and you keep neglecting that there was no instance the verdict/ruling was absolute -- it is all advocated and that teams can always apply for emergency substitution to be accepted or rejected by BLAST. Not because they have a readily available substitute, they are obliged to use it regardless. You keep insisting that they should play the registered substitutes but you're also missing the point that in emergencies they are not bound by it. The emergency substitution was accepted because they took the notice at face value that its a health-issue(this is the loophole, in case you still don't understand where its coming from), not that they were favoring Astralis. Any other team who would have submitted the same emergency notice would very likely be accepted as well, regardless if its officially documented or just a verbal notice. It only got this bad because Astralis blatantly lied about it, this I agree that Astralis is hot garbage. They pretty much dragged BLAST to hell with them on this one and deservingly so for not doing due diligence. As for travel disruption, I don't think visa refusal or issues count as disruption. Its outright denial prior to travel, I think travel disruptions are like e.g. natural disasters like storms or societal circumstances where you are barred from entry like city closure, mass protest, or authority stoppage. Anything that is outside of an entities control is what we call disruption, visa issues are totally an individual's responsibility that are within their control to reciprocate whereas disruptions are totally unviable. The main issue here, which I am pointing out, is that Astralis alone is the only one dealing in bad faith, BLAST is more of a victim of their own rules than a collaborator. You are outright trying to instill hate in your argument rather than rationally approaching it. Mind you I am not even siding with Astralis at all lol I'm just putting a light on the shadow people are casting on the whole situation

2024-09-27 07:33

"You keep insisting that they should play the registered substitutes but you're also missing the point that in emergencies they are not bound by it." Re-read the actual text of the rules. The "emergency" part of the emergency sub is that the team has no more substitutes. That's what makes it an "emergency." It has nothing to do with the actual reason the players cannot play. "issues such as illness, injury, and travel disruption". SUCH AS. It is not a comprehensive list of reasons. The part that actually makes it an emergency is that the team cannot field 5 players, not the REASON they cannot field 5 players. I actually blame blast a lot more than Astralis. Astralis are well aware that they're breaking the INTENTION of the rules, but as you and others have argued, they can kind of fit into a slight grey area. But, that same grey area also applies to every other team which has previously been required to play with a coach. This is why blast is applying the rules unevenly, which is the real competitive integrity issue (if they mis-applier their own rules equally to every team, that would be less concerning to me).

2024-09-27 17:23

Blast events in 2025 and forward participating teams: astralis, sashi, ecstatic, preasy, TSM, gaming gladiators

HLTV reached out to BLAST BLASTRALIS' response: "I'm blind, deaf and a piece of shit! Leave me alone please!!"

2024-09-24 19:52

Bro is unfit to play. You see how he just stood in Molly flames last event?

Cuntian really should take this one on his shoulders and step back for the matches every other IGL has agreed its unfair . And all it does is make him look like he really has no morals plays when hes not suppose to and cheated with Hunden for months

2024-09-24 19:48

tldr? does cadian play or not? idc about this fake-drama tbh

What part is fake besides Astralis?

2024-09-24 20:45

Cadian plays and Blast says they have no reason to doubt Astralis' statement.

2024-09-24 21:16

If they see no reason to question then why not give a full overview of what Astralis said and why they wont question it, with the statement given by br0s manager in mind? Makes no sense to make a statement without full disclosure, if there is nothing to question.

2024-09-24 19:49

BLAST said that they took the statement from Astralis at face-value and "probably" didn't know the full details themselves, but simply trusted Astralis to deal in good faith. Disgustingly, as per br0's agent, Astralis has now acted in bad faith and used BLAST's leniency with this ruling. As a result, BLAST will now do due diligence and penalize as necessary, as well as make changes to the rulebook after the season. IMO, the leniency with this ruling probably factors in situations whereas if a sudden illness or tragedy has occurred where official documentation cannot be immediately supplied so BLAST will take things at face value and hold the org's integrity for it Unsurprisingly, Astralis does not give a fuck about PR and took BLAST with them to hell lmao

2024-09-25 04:49

Now imagine if all teams just collectively decide to forfeit the tournament over concerns of integrity and fair play

Big brain W play

EZ win for Astralis, lets go!!

2024-09-24 20:52

would love that but not happening

2024-09-24 20:59

It can happen. Since Blast breached it's own terms, the other party(orgs) have a right to suspend their performance under the contract they signed with Blast and the contract can be terminated. They can even sue blast for damages. But ofc, they need to have a good attorney, and balls of steel to do it.

2024-09-25 01:52

Not really, Astralis simply acted in bad faith and took advantage of the ruling. All BLAST did was comply within the ruling. You really think this organizers has not made countermeasures for such cases? This is why they have the "penalty" clause for entities that deal in bad faith. Not that Astralis will ever qualify for World Final, but disqualifying them for that event and deny them of prize money this season would be the best PR move BLAST can do to save face.

2024-09-25 04:59

>All BLAST did was comply within the ruling. And the ruling is based on a false statement, with enough public evidence which says otherwise. It can be proven now and it can be proven in the court too. it wasn't just Astralis who acted on bad faith, it's Blast too.

2024-09-25 12:40

Which they already admitted that it requires further clarification and the affected party will be penalized if found incriminating. They also pointed out that they will make adjustments to the rulebook next season admitting that they are aware of the loophole. BLAST had no choice but to agree with their ruling albeit incompetent, not that they are partaking in the "false statement". It is simply a loophole that Astralis took advantage of, it doesn't make the holding platform an affiliate of the activity. Its like e.g. when banks accidentally deposit money in your account, you know its not yours but you spend it anyway taking advantage of the situation. The bank has no choice but to let you keep it, however, they will "penalize" you for acting in bad faith. The bank simply made an error and is aware of their mistake, not that they are conspiring with you. The same way BLAST has no choice but to agree with their established ruling, not that they are conspiring with Astralis.

2024-09-26 07:07

Even better imagine Valve pulls their broadcast license last second for the same reasons.

2024-09-25 02:29

'we have been given no reason to question Astralis’ original statement to us' Fucking clowns. I hope Valve steps in and excludes Blast from rankings.

2024-09-24 19:50

Ok, but ruggah is there. Why isn’t he playing? Blastralis

Another L by bLast

2024-09-24 19:51

skip this tournament, who watches bLOST anyways..

2024-09-24 19:58

Astralis should be DQed AND removed from WORLD FINALS RANKING COMPLETELY

2024-09-24 19:59

Already so sick of this drama. Just move forward..

The major trophy was a major red flag that we ignored... now we know BLAST is completely bonkers! Why do we support a TO who doesn't give a damn about the integrity of the game?!

so bro's manager stating that he's quite fit to perform is no reason to question astralis?

2024-09-24 20:05

Ruggah showing up in person is even worse

2024-09-26 00:46

Kindergarten, Der

2024-09-24 20:08

Classic Astralis.... First Bubzkij now Br0, whats next yall?

2024-09-24 20:20

Blast are really acting like br0's agent statement doesn't exist? What kind of crazy decision making is this from the top? I really hope this is the beginning of the downfall of Blast, because you can't treat people like idiots and hope to get away with it. They should have taken the hit and enforced the rule. I hope teams step up and boycott Blast next year.

2024-09-24 20:22

Lil br0 got the last laugh.

2024-09-24 20:31

LMAO there is even more controversy regarding Stabbi duo and cadiaN than there is of HUNDEN. Which is hilarious.

2024-09-24 20:42

Luckily Astralis will go 0-2 anyway

2024-09-24 20:58

mafioso tournament rigged

2024-09-24 21:02

It's like make a shit and say that nothing happened

2024-09-24 21:03

You've just destroyed your rep as a TO for the future.. And here I thought the expression "All aboard the clown-bus" was an expression we reserved for Moderaterne in Danish politics.... Blastralis back in full force!

what a joke valve should ban blast for host any major

2024-09-24 21:29

Uhh how I do love the sound of crying keyboard warriors 🤭 Blastralis is about to take all your cookies and eat them in front of you, and go full arch villain on the whole community 😈🔥 I’m here for it

2024-09-24 21:37

9 replies

Must be sad when the only home team, that's somewhat relevant in international e/sport, to cheer for is Astralis.

2024-09-24 23:56

You mean the 4x Major winners..? How many have BiG, Mouz and Sprout won combined?

2024-09-25 15:47

What's it like to only live in the past?

2024-09-25 16:42

Well okay, I'll take the bait. Tell me then what is your favorite home team that is doing so great in the present, and that I should be envious of? If you say Mouz it will be sad, because there isn't a single German player on that team.

2024-09-25 16:55

At least BIG isn't a bunch of scum that brings shame to his country, and they are pretty much at the same level of competition as astralis at this point.

2024-09-25 18:38

Oh my, and what home team is bringing glory to yours?

2024-09-25 20:25

Vitality ofc. More Israelis in top 10 teams than danes. No danes in top 5. Washed scene like sweden.

2024-09-25 22:32

So you are supporting a French org and pretending its Israeli.. Two great players doesn’t make a scene. Not even close. But I do get why you like them.

2024-09-26 00:42

I'm fan of players and not teams. I also never said anything about that you should be envy of what I support.

2024-09-25 22:26

Pathetic. ESIC - prove your worth, please.

2024-09-24 21:44

So they're basically saying that they think br0's manager is lying?

2024-09-24 21:45

apparently RL is lying too, if we are going to believe Blast lol

2024-09-25 01:48

What a joke. I was waiting for BLAST's response to get an idea of their credibility, no need to wait more, dishonest clowns

2024-09-24 21:46

who cars. Asstralis will go 0-2 and finish tournament last

2024-09-24 21:57

Clowns

2024-09-24 22:30

Blast will miss HLTV's request for an answer as much as they miss br0's agent tweeting about him being healthy and ready to play.

2024-09-24 23:54

Ok bye bye then

2024-09-25 01:42

"when no other eligible player has been registered" What makes ruggah ineligible?

2024-09-25 02:16

"When an organisation is Danish we will break every rule in our rulebook, if it's a non Danish org we won't break any rules and you need to play with your coach" Here Blast, I changed it for you. You are welcome

2024-09-25 06:07

Extremely unprofessional by Blast. It feels like danes helping danes. They had proof br0 wasn't sick and they just let it slide anyway. Astralis need to be punished for this and Blast really need to make a CLEAR statement about this and their rulebook.

2024-09-25 09:08