ESL Penalizes Lynn Vision Gaming for EPL S22 Withdrawal

ESL has officially announced disciplinary action against Lynn Vision Gaming following their last-minute withdrawal from ESL Pro League Season 22. The Chinese roster, along with Virtus.pro, pulled out just before the tournament, leading to Gentle Mates and ENCE stepping in as replacements.

Visa Oversight Leads to Ban

According to ESL’s statement, Lynn Vision informed organizers on the very day of travel that several players could not board their flights due to expired visas. This revelation came despite the team’s repeated confirmations that all documents were valid during the invitation and booking process.

ESL ruled the matter as an unacceptable oversight rather than a valid exceptional circumstance – such as a medical emergency or visa denial beyond the team’s control – outlined in rule 2.14.1, which was updated just earlier this year on September 5th.

Under these new regulations, withdrawing after accepting an invitation results in forfeiture of all prize money from the event, a ban from the next Tier 1 competition they would qualify for, and financial liability to cover replacement costs.

As a result, Lynn Vision have been banned from their next Tier 1 ESL event, potentially IEM Kraków, pending their ranking status.

Virtus.pro Granted Exemption

Virtus.pro also withdrew from Season 22, but ESL found their situation met the exceptional circumstances criteria. Although all travel documents were valid, two players were denied entry into Sweden, qualifying as a visa complication outside their control. The team therefore avoided competitive sanctions.

Gentle Mates Seize Their Chance

While ENCE were unable to fully capitalize on their late entry into the tournament, Gentle Mates made the most of their sudden call-up. The Spanish roster went on a dominant run in Stage 1, taking down big names such as G2 Esports and Heroic to secure a 3-1 record and a spot in Stage 2.

Although their Stage 2 campaign proved more challenging, Gentle Mates still stunned fans by defeating Team Vitality in their opening match. This strong showing propelled them up the VRS Rankings from 24th (at the start of the tournament) to 18th globally.

Replacement Costs Applied to Both Teams

While Lynn Vision will serve a competitive ban, both teams must pay the expenses involved in bringing in Gentle Mates and ENCE as replacements. This includes flights and any additional costs incurred, in line with ESL’s standard policy.

While unforeseen complications can occur, ESL’s enforcement of its rules highlights the importance of transparency and preparedness at the highest levels of competition, ensuring future participants uphold professional standards both on and off the server.

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Feature image credits: ESL

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