Ahead of the upcoming PGL Antwerp Major, PGL Esports has provided a statement on how esports organisations with ties to the Russian government will be involved. In short, they won't. As various esports organisers around the world have done so as well, any team with affiliations or association to the Russian government will not be allowed to be represented at any RMR matches or in the Major.
This means that neither Virtus.pro or Gambit Esports will be represented, but with this being said, players associated with either esports team will be allowed to compete, as long as they do so under a neutral name and in neutral jerseys.
The statement from PGL reads, "With the current appalling situation in mind, we have decided that individuals and organizations with connections to the Russian government will not be allowed to be represented in upcoming RMR matches and the PGL Antwerp Major."
"Therefore, as things stand, we will ban Virtus.pro and Gambit Esports from participating in the RMR and the upcoming PGL Antwerp Major. We will, however, allow the players currently associated with Virtus.pro and Gambit Esport to play under neutral names and jerseys, as we recognize that the players are not complicit in the situation."
As for when the PGL Major Antwerp will start, the event is set to begin on May 9 and will run until May 22.
