Video celebration turns into team disqualification for European RMR

In collaboration with Valve, Perfect World has announced PARIVISION's disqualification from the European RMRs. A video posted following their victory over GamerLegion showed the inclusion of a Valve-banned coach.

PARIVISION's coach, Ivan "F_1N" Kochugov, was shown in the room celebrating with the lineup in the celebration immediately after the squad's victory. The video circulated immediately throughout social media with many pointing out that F_1N was in the room which was a clear violation of Valve rules.

Valve's Major rulebook has a section on Team staff restrictions which states: "In the case of any matches where event admins are not physically present (e.g. online matches), no team staff, including the coach, may be physically or virtually present or communicate with the players at any time during the match."

While it is bad enough that F_1N was shown in the video in his capacity as a coach, it's even more concerning, given the individual is also banned due to his involvement in the infamous coach bug scandal in 2020. The coach used the bug in six matches for 34 rounds, earning himself a permanent ban from all Valve-sponsored events. The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) banned him for nine months.

After Perfect World's announcement, former Liquid rifler Robert "Patsi" Isyanov said this was the "most ridiculous and sad decision".

With PARIVISION now disqualified, BLEED, Monte, and KOI have one more chance to qualify to the Major. As the highest Buchholz-ranked squad, BLEED will have a bye to the final tie-breaker, while Monte and KOI will duke it out in the first round to decide who makes it to the RMR.