Wild Rift Champions SEA: Three Buriram United players test positive for COVID
Three players from Thai League of Legends: Wild Rift team Buriram United Esports have tested positive for COVID-19 in the midst of competing in the Wild Rift Champions Southeast Asia (WCS) Finals.
One of the three afflicted players, Chakrit “Bank” Vongeveeravut, was even deemed unable to compete.
The positive cases in the Buriram United roster were announced by Wild Rift developer and WCS Finals organiser Riot Games.
“The health and safety of players and staff at the WCS Finals continues to be our highest priority,” Riot's announcement read.
“During testing, 3 players from Buriram United Esports produced a positive result from a Rapid Antigen Test.”
With Bank being deemed “unwell and unable to compete" during the WCS Finals, Riot has approved Weeravat “VVV” Baolorphet as an emergency substitute.
VVV previously played for INVATE Esports and will compete in the WCS Finals in Bank’s place until Bank is fit and able to compete.
"Buriram United Esports would like to thank INVATE Esports once again for allowing us to borrow VVV for this [event] and wishes brother BANK to get well soon and come back to win the championship with [his] brothers," a machine translation of Buriram United's statement read.
The emergency substitution was made according to Wild Rift esport’s rule 1.6.5. on Emergency Roster Substitutes. The rule states that “in case of an emergency, a team may add a substitute through the temporary player loan or emergent free agent as defined for each event".
Such emergencies include COVID-19 related incidents, an injury, or death that prevents a player from participating in the said event.
The other two COVID-positive players on Buriram United's roster have were named in the announcement, but are able to continue to compete in the WCS Finals.
Despite having two COVID-positive players and one substitute, Buriram United still swept Malaysian-Singaporean team SEM9 3-0 on Wednesday (27 April) in the upper bracket quarterfinals.
The Thai team are now through to the upper bracket semifinals, where they will face Team Flash from Vietnam.
Anna is a freelance writer and photographer. She is a gamer who loves RPGs and platformers, and is a League of Legends geek. She's also a food enthusiast who loves a good cup of black coffee.
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