Old G Disqualified from Dota Pro Circuit Division Two Due to Stand-In Rule Controversy
Old G’s run in the Western European Dota Pro Circuit has come to an end after being disqualified from their tiebreaker match. The team was unable to field a valid lineup, resulting in their disqualification.
In a tweet, Ceb expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision on April 26.
Prior to the tiebreaker, two Old G members, Resolut1on and Kitrak, were called in as stand-ins for teams experiencing visa issues at the Berlin Major. However, Old G players were not given an exception to the stand-in rule for the tiebreakers, despite being two players down due to unforeseen circumstances.
The PGL admins followed the Dota 2 rule book, resulting in Old G’s relegation from the second division. While the rules were technically clear and in PGL’s favor, the situation sparked a debate. In the past, Valve has made exceptions for teams playing with stand-ins in unexpected situations.
Amidst the controversy, Ceb criticized PGL admins for their lack of support and empathy. He claimed that instead of finding a solution, PGL repeatedly referred to the rulebook.
In addition to the stand-in issue, the tiebreakers were scheduled at the same time as the Berlin Major, preventing Resolut1on and Kitrak from participating in their division two matches. If the tiebreakers had been rescheduled, Old G could have played with their full roster. However, relegation often leads to teams disbanding, leaving their future uncertain.
As of now, Old G has not made any roster changes.