The recent trend of European organizations signing Russian players has brought several complications to the forefront. The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has added a layer of moral and ethical considerations to these decisions. Any organization that signs Russian players who have not left Russia and continue to pay taxes there indirectly supports the Russian government, which commits genocide in Ukraine. Furthermore, none of the Russian players have publicly condemned the war, raising questions about their stance on the issue.

Updated regulations in international law

The international travel and visa regulations have become more stringent for Russian citizens due to geopolitical tensions. Russian players face significant challenges in obtaining visas for international events, which can disrupt their participation in crucial tournaments. The new rules require approval from multiple countries, making the visa process lengthier and more uncertain. These regulations aim to ensure global security but also inadvertently impact the esports industry by complicating the participation of Russian players.

Case Study 1: GamerLegion and FL4MUS

GamerLegion recently signed Timur "FL4MUS" Maryev, whose initial actions included coloring the organization's logo with the Russian flag on his Steam profile. Following criticism, he removed it but these actions negatively impacted GamerLegion's reputation and highlighted the challenges of integrating players with such controversial behavior. Who knows how his love of the terrorist state will impact the organization in the future.

Case Study 2: HEROIC and degster

HEROIC signed Abdulkhalik "degster" Gasanov, who faced significant travel and visa issues, missing key tournaments like IEM Dallas 2024 and BLAST Premier: Fall Groups 2024. Despite HEROIC reaching the playoffs without him, degster’s absence was felt. His statement regarding the new visa rules and the ongoing difficulties emphasized the logistical challenges of having a Russian player on the roster.

This is the first time in my career that I am missing a tournament because of a visa. For my part I did everything as fast as possible, flew out of Abu Dhabi, canceled my vacation and just applied for a visa, but now, as I was told, there are new rules and now you have to be approved by 6 countries instead of one to get a visa. I have not received confirmation from one country for about a week now, so yesterday I sat from the opening of the visa center to the evening for 8 hours with my suitcase (to fly straight away) but nothing happened, the center was closed and I went home. Visa I, in general, already get more than 50 days and unfortunately I can not do anything more, as I said, I did everything to get it as early as possible, there are such moments in life, while my playing, I am practicing and waiting for the moment when I finally get the opportunity to show my level of CS with my team.

Abdulkhalik "degster" Gasanov

Degster also missed the subsequent event, IEM Cologne 2024, further highlighting the persistent issues with signing Russian players.

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Case Study 3: 9 Pandas and PGL Major Copenhagen 2024

9 Pandas, a Russian organization, faced severe consequences due to their inability to field a full roster at the PGL Major Copenhagen. The team's failure to participate in such a significant event was directly related to travel issues encountered by their Russian players. This situation not only affected 9 Pandas but also underscored the broader risks European organizations take when signing Russian players.

The missed opportunity at the PGL Major Copenhagen deprived 9 Pandas of crucial exposure and potential earnings from the event. This disruption is a clear example of the pitfalls associated with maintaining a roster that includes players facing travel restrictions due to their country starting a war.

For European organizations, this case serves as a stark warning. Signing Russian players who remain in Russia and do not publicly condemn the ongoing war means taking on significant risks. These risks include potential travel bans, visa issues, and the moral implications of indirectly supporting the Russian government.

Other Examples of Russian Players Missing Events Due to Visa or Travel Issues

The challenges faced by Russian players in securing visas and navigating travel restrictions are not isolated incidents. Several high-profile teams have experienced significant disruptions due to these issues, underscoring the broader impact on the competitive scene.

• Benched Heroes and IEM Road to Rio 2022 Europe RMR B: Benched Heroes missed out on the IEM Road to Rio 2022 Europe RMR B because Eugene "⁠Aunkere⁠" Karyat faced visa issues.
• Virtus.pro and IEM Dallas 2023: Virtus.pro had to withdraw from IEM Dallas 2023 due to visa issues affecting their players.
• NAVI and BLAST Premier Spring 2023 Finals: NAVI was forced to withdraw from the BLAST Premier: Spring 2023 Finals because of visa issues.
• Cloud9 and Sergey "Ax1Le" Rykhtorov: Cloud9 had to field a substitute at IEM Cologne 2023 due to Sergey "Ax1Le" Rykhtorov's late visa approval.
• Due to visa issues, FORZE has withdrawn from IEM Cologne 2023.
• Liquid and Robert "⁠Patsi⁠" Isyanov: Liquid almost started their match at ESL Pro League Season 18 with their coach standing in due to visa issues with Robert "⁠Patsi⁠" Isyanov. He arrived at the last minute, but the situation highlighted the constant uncertainty teams face.
• Danil "⁠donk⁠" Kryshkovets and Boris "⁠magixx⁠" Vorobiev: Both players missed the BLAST Premier: Spring Groups 2024 due to visa issues.
• G2 and Ilya "⁠m0NESY⁠" Osipov: G2 started the BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2024 without Ilya "⁠m0NESY⁠" Osipov because of a visa delay, forcing the team to play with their coach.
• BetBoom at IEM Cologne 2024: The team couldn’t make it to Germany and was replaced with 3DMAX.

These examples illustrate the recurring issues faced by teams relying on Russian players, highlighting the need for careful consideration and planning by organizations when forming their rosters.

READ MORE: kyxsan: "If [degster] doesn't get his visa it makes no sense having him on the team"

Financial Impact on Organizations

The financial repercussions for organizations signing Russian players can be substantial. The inability to participate in key tournaments due to visa and travel restrictions leads to lost prize money, sponsorship opportunities, and exposure. Organizations invest significant resources in training, marketing, and logistics, and missing out on major events can severely impact their return on investment. Moreover, the absence of players in crucial matches means the team may not perform at its best, potentially leading to lower placements and reduced earnings.

Team Stability and Morale

Team stability and morale are crucial for consistent performance. The uncertainty surrounding the availability of Russian players can create a volatile team environment. Frequent changes in the roster, last-minute replacements, and the stress of dealing with travel and visa issues can disrupt team cohesion. Players need to trust and rely on each other, and constant instability can erode this trust, leading to poor in-game performance and dissatisfaction among team members.

Reputation and Brand Image

An organization’s reputation and brand image are paramount in the esports industry. Signing players from Russia, especially those who do not publicly condemn the ongoing war, can lead to backlash from fans and sponsors. Organizations risk being perceived as insensitive to global issues, which can damage their brand and lead to a loss of support from the community and partners. Maintaining a positive public image is essential, and aligning with players from controversial regions can jeopardize this.

Long-term Planning and Contingency

Long-term planning becomes exceedingly difficult when dealing with players who face travel and visa uncertainties. Organizations need to have contingency plans in place, which can be costly and time-consuming. These plans may involve maintaining a larger roster, which increases operational costs, or frequently scouting for temporary replacements, which diverts resources from other important activities. The unpredictability associated with Russian players makes strategic planning challenging, potentially hindering the organization's growth and success.

Conclusion

The challenges faced by organizations signing Russian players highlight significant risks, including financial losses, team instability, damage to reputation, and difficulties in long-term planning. Russian invasion of Ukraine exacerbates these issues, making it crucial for organizations to weigh these risks carefully. The case studies of GamerLegion, HEROIC, and 9 Pandas serve as cautionary tales, emphasizing the importance of making informed decisions when forming international rosters in the volatile landscape of global esports.