NAVI Determined to Make Comeback Despite Banned Substance Controversy

Aug.10.2023
Popular esports team NAVI aims for a comeback after loss, but a controversy arises over player's use of banned substance.

NAVI, the popular esports team, is determined to make a comeback after their recent loss to DRX at the VALORANT Champions 2023 tournament. However, a controversy has overshadowed their performance as it was revealed that one of their players was penalized for using a banned substance on stage.

 

In a now-deleted tweet, NAVI's head coach, Erik 'd00mbr0s' Sandgren, disclosed that the team had one of their timeouts rescinded because one of their players was caught using Snus on-stage. Kyrylo 'ANGE1' Karasov, the team's in-game leader, was seen stuffing a small pouch of Snus in his upper lip during the broadcast, which resulted in a swift punishment from Riot Games officials.

 

According to the 2023 VCT ruleset, only league-approved resealable containers for drinks and chewing gum are allowed on-stage. Other products like food, tobacco, and nicotine-based items are strictly prohibited in the match area. Snus, a moist form of smokeless tobacco packaged in teabag-like sachets, is an alternative method for tobacco consumption that is gaining popularity among esports players.

 

It is reported that many European League of Legends players have been using Snus to cope with the immense pressure they face in their careers and personal lives. However, this incident serves as a reminder for participants in VALORANT events to abstain from using Snus on stage.

 

Despite the controversy, some players have taken a lighthearted approach to the situation and made jokes about it on social media. Team Liquid's Saif 'Sayf' Jibraeel and NRG's head coach, Chet Singh, were among those who added some humor to the incident.

 

NAVI will now need to regroup and focus on their upcoming match in the Champions group stage. They are set to compete in the decider match on Saturday, Aug. 12th, and are determined to secure a win that will propel them into the playoffs.

 

In summary, NAVI's recent loss and subsequent controversy over the use of a banned substance have taken the esports community by storm. The team faces a crucial match in the Champions group stage and is determined to bounce back and secure a win. However, players have been reminded of the consequences of using banned substances on stage, with Snus being a particularly popular choice among esports players.

This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Turning Point Brands Reports Q1 2026 Net Sales of $124.3 Million as Modern Oral Net Sales Rise 133%
Turning Point Brands Reports Q1 2026 Net Sales of $124.3 Million as Modern Oral Net Sales Rise 133%
Turning Point Brands reported first-quarter 2026 results on May 7, covering the period ended March 31, 2026. Total consolidated net sales were $124.3 million, up 16.8% year on year. Gross profit was $68.3 million, up 14.6%, while net income fell 19.0% to $11.7 million. Adjusted EBITDA declined 6.5% to $25.9 million.
May.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Ukrainian Prosecutors and Economic Security Bureau Dismantle Illegal Vape Liquid Network Worth About UAH 30 Million
Ukrainian Prosecutors and Economic Security Bureau Dismantle Illegal Vape Liquid Network Worth About UAH 30 Million
Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General and the Bureau of Economic Security said they uncovered an illegal production and sales scheme for e-cigarette liquids that had been operating in Ukraine since 2023.
Apr.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
WHO’s First Global Report on Nicotine Pouches: Harm Reduction Questions Remain Amid Global Regulatory Warning
WHO’s First Global Report on Nicotine Pouches: Harm Reduction Questions Remain Amid Global Regulatory Warning
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day 2026, WHO released its first global report on nicotine pouches, warning that rapid market growth, youth-oriented marketing and weak regulation are converging. 2Firsts views the report as an important warning, but not a complete risk assessment, with harm-reduction questions still unresolved.
Special Report
May.17
UK Opens Applications for Vaping Products Duty and Duty Stamps Scheme From April 1
UK Opens Applications for Vaping Products Duty and Duty Stamps Scheme From April 1
HM Revenue and Customs announced that from April 1, 2026, UK vaping product manufacturers, importers and warehousekeepers can apply for approval under Vaping Products Duty (VPD) and the Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme (VDS). Under new GOV.UK guidance, Vaping Products Duty will take effect on October 1, 2026 and will apply to all vaping liquids, whether they contain nicotine or not.
Apr.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | GEEKBAR MATE 60K Launches in U.S. Channels With 15ml E-Liquid and Up to 60,000 Puffs
Product | GEEKBAR MATE 60K Launches in U.S. Channels With 15ml E-Liquid and Up to 60,000 Puffs
E-cigarette brand GEEKBAR has recently launched its new product, the GEEKBAR MATE 60K, on its official website. The product adopts a pod-based system, consisting of a reusable 900mAh device and a pod prefilled with 15ml of e-liquid and equipped with a built-in 200mAh battery, bringing the total battery capacity to 1100mAh. It supports both Regular and Pulse modes.
Mar.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korea Moves Against Synthetic Nicotine Regulatory Gap as Three Companies Face Tobacco Business Act Probe
South Korea Moves Against Synthetic Nicotine Regulatory Gap as Three Companies Face Tobacco Business Act Probe
South Korea’s Ministry of Finance and Economy said on May 4 that it requested the Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency and Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency to investigate three sales companies on suspicion of violating the Tobacco Business Act.
May.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai