Echo Fox forfeit their game against NRG Esports in the League Championship Series (LCS) today, after failing to put together an eligible roster in time.
To play in the North American LCS, which is based in California, teams have to ensure all members are eligible to work in the U.S.—something that Echo Fox apparently failed to do.
The Riot Games ruling says that multiple teams questioned the eligibility status of a few foreign players, but doesn’t specify which ones. And because Echo Fox failed to find new eligible players in time (despite being given deadline extensions), they must forfeit.
“Our previous work eligibility process was based on guarantees made by teams as well as high level spot checks of visa paperwork,” a statement by Riot says. “But given the seriousness and breadth of the allegations, it was clear that such a system was not adequate for proving eligibility in the case of disputes.”
Riot asked all LCS teams to submit full work eligibility documents for their players by end of day Jan. 19. And it seems there was a visa problem with at least one player on the Echo Fox roster.
Echo Fox’s visa issues most likely have to do with Korean player Park “kfo” Jeong-hun, or Danish player Henrik “Froggen” Hansen, as the remaining members of the team are from the U.S. and Canada.
The team is new to the LCS, and was founded after former pro basketball player Rick Fox bought out Gravity Gaming’s spot.
It is not yet clear whether Echo Fox will be forced to forfeit tomorrow’s game against Team Liquid, but Riot says it is working closely with the team to get an eligible roster in place.
Update 3:47pm CT, Jan. 23: Rick Fox says Echo Fox takes full responsibility for the forfeit, plans to play tomorrow.
Photo via Riot Games/Flickr (All rights reserved, used with permission)
