BLAST backtracks on decision to let k0nfig play for FaZe

FaZe Clan tried to acquire k0nfig as a substitute for rain at the BLAST Premier Spring Groups 2022, but the organizer reportedly backtracked on that decision today.

BLAST initially allowed FaZe to use k0nfig as their sub, according to a report on Jan. 18. But today the organizers commented to HLTV that the request was denied “as he is registered on another team.” This caused quite a stir since k0nfig was already seen during the media day with FaZe, according to HLTV. The team was also told yesterday that they could use k0nfig and were informed today that the decision was reversed.

Officially, FaZe submitted olofmeister as their substitute for BLAST Premier Spring Groups 2022. The Swede is, however, streaming VALORANT from his home and claims he didn’t even know that he was chosen as the substitute for FaZe for the event.

FaZe has since been called out for how it has handled the situation. Ropz shed some light on the situation, explaining that. “Some of these are from World Finals, including Heroic’s. Apparently there was only a day notice for the submission and some didn’t reach back in time. K0nfig had no idea either he’s Heroic’s sub,” he said on Twitter.

At BLAST World Finals 2022, k0nfig played with Heroic as a substitute.

FaZe have been allowed for an emergency substitution “as they only have four players currently available in Denmark,” BLAST comment to HLTV added.

Update Jan. 19 7am CT: FaZe were given permission to field k0nfig over a week ago, and info that the player would be added to the team’s accreditation list and will be allowed to practice with them in the practice room, according to Dexerto.

The organizer, however, reportedly gave FaZe permission without checking if k0nfig wasn’t already registered by another team, and it turned out that he had been submitted by Heroic already.

Heroic, on the other hand, wanted to substitute NaToSaphiX for the event on Jan. 3 but was told the deadline had already passed.

Update Jan. 19 12:22pm CT: BLAST acknowledged miscommunication and lack of clarity on the roster lock timings in place for Spring Groups in an official statement. “FaZe requested the use of k0nfig, this request was denied as the player was registered on another team’s roster for the event. In that process there has been confusion around whether this subsequent emergency substitution request was formally accepted and validated by BLAST,” the tournament organizer said.

“After looking into the incident internally, we identified miscommunication and a lack of clarity from BLAST on roster lock timings and k0nfig’s eligibility to play in Spring Groups. This of course is not how we typically operate and we will be looking into strengthening processes and communication with teams, specifically around roster locks.”

FaZe will play BLAST Premier Spring Groups with Patrick “es3tag” Hansen in place of rain and the director of esports operations Edward Han will be the coach versus Complexity in place of RobbaN. Should FaZe play NiP later in the tournament, both organizations agreed that es3tag won’t play. NiP still have es3tag under contract.