Cover-Credits:
In the North American Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) scene, Team American Goons faced a loss against GRIN Esports in the upper bracket finals of the Closed Qualifiers, followed by its win against GateKept in the lower bracket finals.
However, a seemingly innocent private message exchanged on Steam between American Goons players and members of GateKept seemingly led to the team’s disqualification. The messages jokingly referred to intentionally losing to GRIN Esports to "gatekeep" GateKept from advancing. PGL, acting upon these messages, took the decision to disqualify the team, alleging match-fixing and betting.
Shortly after the team’s disqualification, many prominent figures in the North America (NA) Dota 2 community took to Twitter to support the team and ask PGL to reverse the decision. The manager of American goons’ also shared his and the team’s perspective during this situation recently and urged PGL to reverse the disqualification. In a recent turn of events, PGL has reversed its decision, bringing relief to the team and its supporters.
American Goons' Manager Raises Concerns and Presents Evidence
In response to the disqualification, the manager of American Goons, known as “logical”, took to the r/DotA2 subreddit to provide their perspective on the situation. The post emphasized that the team is committed to fair play and would never compromise its competitive integrity. It pointed out that the messages exchanged were a playful banter among players who shared existing rapport. The manager highlighted the lack of concrete evidence and called into question the basis for disqualification, emphasizing that the decision appeared premature and unjust.
PGL Reverses Decision Amidst Community Support
Following the disqualification announcement, prominent figures in the North American Dota 2 community, including Peter "ppd" Dager, David "MoonMeander" Tan, and Kurtis "Aui_2000" Ling, expressed their skepticism and called for a reevaluation of the decision. Their support garnered significant attention from the Dota 2 community, leading to a wave of solidarity for American Goons. In light of the mounting pressure and the manager's detailed explanation, PGL decided to reverse its initial ruling and reinstate American Goons into the DPC.
The reversal of American Goons' disqualification by PGL comes as a significant relief for the team and its fans. The incident highlights the importance of thorough investigation and clear evidence before making decisions that could impact a team's reputation and future in the competitive scene. As the NA DPC continues, American Goons can now focus on its upcoming matches, knowing that they have received the support of their peers and the Dota 2 community in their quest to qualify for the coveted TI qualifiers.
