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In a now-deleted tweet, NAVI's head coach, Erik 'd00mbr0s' Sandgren, disclosed that the team had one of their timeouts rescinded because one of their players was caught using Snus on-stage.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.
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