Top CS2 pros karrigan, Aleksib, Snax, Snappi, Twistzz, and apEX no-show at Blast Fall Finals media day in protest of Astralis and its dubious use of an emergency substitute to play the event with new signing cadiaN.
The Danish organization reportedly invoked the use of an emergency sub by claiming its former IGL, br0, was “unfit to play” in the event, according to HLTV. The tournament rule book says emergency subs can be used for situations involving health issues, but is decided by Blast on “a case by case basis.”
br0’s agent Fabian Broich revealed on September 17, the day cadiaN’s signing was announced, that the IGL is not dealing with any health issues and is “ready to perform.”
The deadline for roster submission for the event was three weeks ago, meaning if Blast did not grant the emergency sub, Astralis would have to play with br0 despite signing and announcing his replacement.
After learning about the dubious circumstances around br0’s exclusion from the event, multiple CS2 pros across teams competing in the Fall Final said online they also might “be unfit” for the tournament’s media day on September 23.
I might be unfit for Blast Media tomorrow
— Dan Madesclaire (@Vitality_apEX) September 23, 2024
Many have followed through with the boycott, skipping the Blast media day in protest with Team Liquid, FaZe Clan, NAVI, Team Falcons, and Team Vitality all showing up without some of their most prominent stars. Blast also canceled its media event with cadiaN, telling HLTV it was due to a “change of schedule.”
The players protesting the decision by Blast to allow cadiaN to play said in an open letter that they find it hypocritical given the organizer’s record on emergency substitutions in the past, and “exploitative” toward player health issues.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
“The second aspect we wish to address is our firm stance against the exploitation of mental health or physical health issues as a means to justify the allowance of an emergency substitute. We believe that such matters should never be taken lightly,” the letter said.
Blast said in a statement before media day that it is “in the process” of getting more information on Astralis about the emergency substitution and will look into applying “sanctions/penalties” if warranted.
The tournament organizer released a statement on September 24, after the protest, and said they “have been given no reason to question Astralis’ original statement to us and the decision to allow them to use an emergency substitute stands.”
Whether the protest will continue into the actual tournament, impact matches or the broadcast remains to be seen.
The Astralis situation is also compounded by cadiaN’s history with its current lineup, as two of its players previously tried to force the veteran IGL out of his place on HEROIC’s roster not too long ago.