We'd firstly like to apologise to all the parties involved, and now I'd like to address each point one by one.



Prelude:



Our try-outs were very rushed, as we only began putting our team together 2 weeks before Open Division signups ended. There were a large number of players involved, and not much time available to see how they each worked together. Our initial roster selection from these try-outs was Lateks, Leodeddz, Matth, Invision, Rubikon and Vonethil, however PoG got there first and Matth and Rubikon joined them. At this point, we asked iPN and Luddee to sub in some games, and seeing how well they worked with the team, we asked them if they would he like to try out - iPN agreed.



Part 1: iPN



After a while of try-outs, iPN was indeed offered a spot in the team. In fact, we offered him a full spot as we felt he'd sufficiently performed in try-outs. Pleased with the decision, we started Open Division with iPN and after he confirmed he was happy we could announce him as a player, and the announcement was made, he quickly came back to say he thought we were only announcing that he would be playing in Open Division, and he had not decided if he wanted to join the team yet. After week 1, unfortunately iPN required some personal time off (no details will be offered here as I know he wants that private), which we were happy for him to take. MrBeck was available at this point and so we resumed with MrBeck. Upon iPN's return, he advised us that while he is interested, he still wanted to try out for another team. At the same time, MrBeck announced that he would not be available the following week due to try-outs with another team (that week being PIT). That's fine, we didn't remove either of them from our Open Division roster, but we cannot risk missing scrim nights in the middle of both Open and PIT due to our flex supports being pledged to other teams for scrim nights. The logical thing here, since try-outs continue, is to get in a 3rd try out to ensure we're able to continue to play without having to cancel practice.



As it happens, the third one, recently available at that time was Rubikon, whos team had just disbanded, and who confirmed he had no other try-outs and would be available for all of pit and the rest of Open, making him a secure choice going into tournaments.



We still kept iPN and MrBeck on our roster. We heard nothing more from MrBeck after that point.



Part 2: Matth



The tweet discusses how Matth was brought in to replace Caspere by Mendzel without them knowing and being strongly against the decision. The irony here is that the decision to test matth was made entirely based on the request of 2 players in the roster - Invision and Vonethil, so nobody here is sure how Invision did not know about these trials. During these try-outs, both Caspere and Matth would take different scrim nights, and after each scrim night, each player would be asked for their opinion.



At first feedback showed that Caspere was the players choice. This was passed on to the coach team - that the players did not want to trial further. However, as the schedule was already arranged, and there were only 2 more nights left, with Matth having cancelled plans to attend, the decision was made to just play the 2 days out and carry on as we were.



Player feedback changed, however, and at the end of the final night of scrims, every single player gave feedback that if they were to pick a player for the flex DPS role at that point, it would be Matth. Both coaches agreed that Matth brought an extra edge to the games and they made a final decision. There was a suggestion made to have a 7-man roster, with Caspere as a sub. The coaches discussed it and decided it wasn't feasible as there would be very limited occasions where they would need to bring in Caspere. I cannot comment on this decision, roster rotation is not something I personally have any experience in, but I trust the decision was correct. Again, this was discussed with Invision, with reasons why it wasn't a good idea explained, and again invision agreed he understood their point.



And yes, we have all these chats logged.



Part 3: The drop in atmosphere



This part is very true, players did begin to complain that scrims had become toxic, with the finger firmly pointed toward Matth. The coaches told the players that matth would be spoken to and requested to no longer bring down the mood of the team. They were then advised if they feel that there has been no change within a few days, to go back to the coaches and let them know that they're still not happy, and they will look for try-outs. There were actually some players contacted during this time to enquire if they would be interested in try-outs for this role, if this happened. No further mention was made of this toxicity for a while, until a week, maybe 2 later when...



Part 4: The cataclysm



Lateks, Leodeddz and Invision approached me to say that they still feel the mood is toxic and the want Matth removing, and Caspere bringing back. This was not said to the coaches, but to myself. I passed the message on to the coach team, at which point I was told that the other guys had suggested to the coaches that we look into running try-outs for the off tank role (leodeddz role) and the hitscan role (invisions role). Mendzel, who was demonised in the original tweet, advised those players to give them some more time to show their ability within the roster as they were still learning to adapt to a new flex support and a new flex DPS, and because there had been no time to practice together due to getting our legs broken on a daily basis during PIT, which started a few days after the recruits were added. Within a few days they had changed their minds and were happy with the improvements. On the other hand, the other players added to their demand, that Rubikon also be removed, and that Caspere will not re-join unless we remove Mendzel, so remove him too.



At this point it's all become a bit like a children's club - he said, she said, I want, I want, and I want, so Mendzel who was tired of everyone speaking to each other in private group chats and dark alleys, asked all of the players to a voice conversation to work it out. The players could not see eye-to-eye and the roster split into 2 groups of 3;



- Vonethil, Rubikon and Matth, who were happy to continue with the current roster, but would prefer some more try-outs be run, and keep Lateks.

- Lateks, Leodeddz and Invision, who simply wanted Rubikon, Matth and Mendzel removed and keep Vonethil.



After the voice conversation neither of the 2 groups wanted play together. At this point the most reasonable and level-headed player was Vonethil, who was happy for try-outs, but didn't want to have anybody removed to the detriment of the team and was also trying to resolve the issue.



Unfortunately, at this point I had to inform Lateks and the staff team that I'd had to take a few days out due to late work shifts and recently having a miscarriage. This is not ghosting, it was made clear I wouldn't be around for a few days. The staff were asked to review the above facts and come to a decision on the best action to take in the meantime, to save the team from disband - and a member of staff informed Invision yesterday, before the tweet was made, that no decisions had been made on the best course of action, and to hold tight.



Part 5: The Core Robbed of playoff spots



First point here, the core is considered those players who played in the open division matches, all 10 of them from start to finish – Lateks, Leodeddz, Invision, Vonethil.

The idea that any of these guys have been robbed of their playoff spot is simply not true - until last night, when the tweet was made, no decision had been made by staff on which way the team would have to go. Sadly, no matter which option was taken, it would mean 3 players would likely leave, an impossible decision for the staff to make light-heartedly. On the one hand, if we chose to keep the same 6 and kick nobody, Lateks, Leodeddz and Invision would likely leave. On the other hand, if we chose to replace Matth and bring back caspere, there was a chance Vonethil, Rubikon and Mendzel would leave. However, the overall view was that ideally, we want to keep the same 6 if we can, but considerations for who would be potential replacements if people left were made. Only 2 people have been removed from our Open Division roster on Battlefly, and that's iPN and Caspere, both of whom have not played with us for weeks, so we're not sure how this is classed as Play Off spots being robbed, but so be it if that's what is believed. Lateks, Leodeddz and Invision are all still there listed in the active roster, they have not even been moved to the inactive spots to make room for other players. Our decision on the best course had not been made until the tweet from iPN appeared last night, which made that decision for us.



If it's true that try-outs took place on an off day without people’s knowledge then I too am one of those who had no knowledge this was going down behind players backs; it will be investigated and handled accordingly, and I can only apologise if it's true.

Overall, we’re sorry that Lateks, Leodeddz and Invision feel the way they do. The three of them are great guys and were a vital part of Jigsaw until this point – and we apologise that this drama has come up in the EU OW scene just when things were looking good.



/ionztorm

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