ESL addresses scheduling clash between PGL Astana and IEM Dallas

ESL's statement gives information regarding the consequences of attending both events, as well as how it will work for teams, "in the interest of openness and transparency."

ESL has issued a statement regarding teams participating in both PGL Astana and IEM Dallas, addressing the consequences that playing both events will have on teams as well as the consequences for IEM Dallas itself in terms of scheduling and seeding.

Eternal Fire, The MongolZ, G2, GamerLegion and FURIA are currently set to attend both events.

The statement said that ESL will allow attendance in both events despite the "tremendous risk" of forfeits, and that in similar situations in future ESL will "try and accommodate where possible and when possible, so that teams and players are not going to miss out on opportunities to compete."

Attendance at both events became a topic of discussion because PGL Astana is set to end the day before IEM Dallas begins. As such, teams that make top-four at PGL Astana will only be able to make it to Dallas (according to ESL's statement) by 12:45 on May 19, meaning they will miss media obligations and risk forfeits in case of travel issues.

ESL allows participation in both events

ESL has stated that they initially told teams planning to participate in both events that it would not be possible to do so, but that after evaluating travel plans presented by the teams involved, they would allow participation in both events.

HLTV contacted ESL to enquire as to whether teams may have declined invites for either tournament based on ESL's initial stance. ESL responded saying that "teams may have taken the initial information and made decisions in relation to participating in IEM Dallas or not."

Consequences for teams and IEM Dallas

The statement goes on to say that teams will be fined $4,000 and deducted 5% of their prize winnings in accordance with ESL's rulebook should they miss their media obligations, which they will if they reach top-four of PGL Astana.

ESL also emphasised their rules regarding forfeits. The first map of a match will be forfeited 15 minutes after the assigned start time, and the entire match will be forfeited 30 minutes after the assigned start time.

Also addressed is the issue of scheduling and seeding for IEM Dallas. Seeding will be done on May 6, but scheduling will not be determined until May 16, after the quarter-finals of PGL Astana have been played. Teams that make it to top-four in Astana will be given either the second-last or last match slot on day one of IEM Dallas.

ESL encourages cooperation among tournament organizers

The issue has further ramifications as it sets a precedent for how tournament organizers will handle such schedule clashes in future, which is particularly relevant considering the packed calendar over the next couple of years.

Whilst ESL emphasised that "this situation is not ideal," the statement did strike a conciliatory tone. The organizer said they were allowing teams to attend both "in the spirit of supporting the transition to an open ecosystem," and encouraged other tier-one organizers to reach out when such situations are likely to arise.

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