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Following a review of the events surrounding the SCL 6v6 semifinal series between teams Spartan family and The Solution, the Regional League Administration is issuing the following official ruling based on the match timeline, rulebook, and communication from both parties. Any quotes mentioned in this article have been translated from Swedish to English and may have been paraphrased to cut to the chase. Teams will be referenced as  Background The semifinal series was originally scheduled to be played between Sunday and Tuesday.   Spartan family requested to play Sunday, but The Solution was unavailable. Both teams then agreed to play Monday and Tuesday at 21:30 CEST.   On Monday, just before the scheduled start, EA servers went down, making gameplay impossible.   To resolve the situation and maintain scheduling for the finals on Thursday, the League granted a one-day extension, allowing the series to be completed on Wednesday.   Refusal to Play on Tuesday Although Tuesday was one of the originally agreed match days, The Solution refused to play, stating they only wanted to play all 5 games either Tuesday or Wednesday — but not split.   Spartan family could not accommodate a full BO5 on either day due to their players participating in ECL Pro Qualifier matches, where they represent SSK Esports.   Despite the League’s effort to propose flexible solutions, The Solution refused to compromise, and expressed frustration claiming Spartan family were receiving “special treatment” due to their "Pro status".   While it’s understandable that players may have real-life commitments, the tone and unwillingness to cooperate gave the Administration the impression that The Solution was not engaging constructively in rescheduling efforts.   Scheduling Compromise for Wednesday To accommodate both sides, the Administration proposed the following: Play would begin at 20:00 CEST with up to 3 games. A break at 21:30 would allow Spartan family to play their ECL Pro Qualifier matches. Any remaining games would resume around 22:30.   The Solution did not oppose this proposal or suggest alternatives, replying only: “We meet 20 to play 3 and we will see then.”   Matchday: Wednesday At 20:00, Spartan family began searching for the first game and messaged The Solution.   With no reply received, Spartan family declared a walkover win for Game 1 at 20:16, in line with the rulebook’s 15-minute lateness rule.   At 20:17, The Solution responded: “ok, see you at 20.30.” The Solution joined the lobby at 20:39 — 39 minutes after the agreed start time, and with no explanation for the delay.   While the walkover could be viewed as slightly strict, the combination of The Solution’s refusal to play on Tuesday, poor communication, and disregard for the 20:00 start time left the Administration with no choice.   Games 2 and 3 were played without further issues.   At 21:30, Spartan family left for their ECL Pro Qualifier matches, as previously agreed. During this time, The Solution began searching and messaging that Spartan family were not showing up — despite the pre-scheduled break.   Spartan family returned around 22:30 to continue the series, but The Solution had left and refused to complete the remaining games.   Ruling Summary Game 1 is awarded to Spartan family by Walkover The Solution did not communicate within the allowed 15-minute window. Their eventual arrival was 39 minutes late, without explanation. While the walkover was declared at the edge of the 15-minute window and could be viewed as strict, the refusal to play on Tuesday, poor communication, and failure to notify of delays made the decision warranted.   Games 2 and 3 are considered valid and played results.   Remaining games are forfeited by The Solution The structure of the night — including the break at 21:30 — was agreed to in advance. The Solution did not raise concerns beforehand, nor give a valid reason for leaving and refusing to continue. This constitutes a clear forfeit of the remaining games.   Spartan family are awarded the series win and advance to the Finals.   Closing Notes The Regional League Administration always strives to ensure that series are decided on the ice, not off it. Unfortunately, due to a combination of a server outage, scheduling conflicts, poor cooperation, and tight finals and qualifier deadlines, a ruling was required to keep the competition on track.   We would like to remind all teams: Respect the match schedule and your opponents’ time. Communicate proactively and clearly with both your opponent and the League. Be willing to compromise when scheduling conflicts arise — especially in the playoffs.   We thank both teams for their efforts this season and wish Spartan family and Sunne IK Esport the best of luck in the Finals tonight.   — Regional League Administration

Competitive players, the wait is over — WECL Season 4 is here! After a two-year break, the league is making a triumphant return, and registration is officially open. Don’t miss this opportunity to compete, reconnect, and be part of the action as WECL makes its long-awaited comeback. What to Expect in Season 4? Season 4 brings an exciting and straightforward format designed to maximize competition and fun. Here’s what’s in store: No X-Factors: This season, no X-Factors (Gold and Silver) are allowed to be used in loadouts. More info on X-Factor change below. Switch to a 3-Point System: We’re moving to a 3-point system for wins this season, replacing the previous 2-point system. This adjustment adds more value to victories and increases the competitive stakes. Three Game Days per Week: Matches will be held three times a week, ensuring plenty of opportunities to compete and climb the standings. Season Start: The action kicks off on February 17, 2025, so mark your calendars and get ready for the season. Playoffs: The playoffs are set to begin on March 24, 2025, though the exact schedule may vary depending on the number of teams that sign up. Whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, this season promises a competitive and enjoyable experience for all! No X-Factors: A New Era for WECL Competition The upcoming season of the WECL is set to introduce a groundbreaking change aimed at redefining the competitive landscape. In a bold move to prioritize skill and strategy, the league has implemented a new rule banning the use of all X-Factors, both Gold and Silver. This decision marks a significant shift in gameplay, as X-Factors have long been a pivotal element in shaping team dynamics and individual performance. By removing these abilities, the league seeks to level the playing field, fostering a more balanced and skill-driven environment. The introduction of this rule is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the competition, challenging players to rely on pure skill, strategic planning, and adaptability. WECL organizers believe this change will not only elevate the quality of play but also enhance the overall experience, as matches will now be decided by player expertise rather than additional boosts. As the new season approaches, anticipation is building to see how this adjustment will impact the game and test competitors’ true abilities. This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for WECL, one that underscores the league’s commitment to innovation and fair play. Who Can Join? The WECL is open to everyone*, from seasoned veterans to newcomers eager to make their debut. Gather your team, brush off the rust, and prepare to make your mark as the league returns after its hiatus. *Eligibility rules apply; see below “Eligibility” section. Key Dates Registration Opens: January 31, 2025 Registration Closes: February 14, 2025 Season Start: February 17, 2025 How to Sign Up? Joining is simple: Visit the official WECL Season 4 registration page. Log in or create your account. Register your team and finalize your roster. Eligibility As a regional league, the WECL has three officially recognized countries (ES, FR, and UK). However, teams based in countries that are not represented in the current (ongoing or not) SportsGamer regional leagues (CSCL, GCL, RCL, FCL, and SCL) are also able to take part. Teams from the following countries are eligible for the WECL and their players don’t count against the foreign player cap: Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Denmark Estonia France Georgia Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Kazakhstan Republic Kosovo Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg North Macedonia Malta Moldova Monaco Montenegro Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania San Marino Serbia Slovenia Spain Switzerland Turkey Ukraine UK Vatican City Teams from the following countries are already eligible for another regional league and cannot sign teams up; players will also count against the foreign player cap: Czech Republic Slovakia Germany Russia Finland Sweden Players from these countries are counted against a limit of 2 foreign players on the roster, with the allowance of only one of them being on ice. Additionally, in order to better facilitate the opportunities for local players to naturally grow, the WECL also enforces a skill cap, meaning that foreign players with ECL Elite status will not be able to participate in the league. ECL Elite status is determined by having represented an Elite team in either ECL '25 Winter or ECL '24 Spring. Communication English is the official language of the WECL, and all communications related to the Championship — whether from the League Administration (LA) or Regional League Administration (RLA) — will be conducted in English. However, participants are welcome to use English, French, or Spanish in the league’s dedicated sub-forum. Exceptions The WECL is committed to inclusivity, welcoming teams that may not feel represented in other regional leagues. If you need to request an exception to the rules, please use the support tool to submit your case. We also encourage all participants to review the full rulebook, as this overview is only a small portion of the complete regulations. After a two-year break, WECL is back and ready to deliver an exciting Season 4. We can’t wait to see teams bring their passion and skill to the competition. Let’s make this a tournament to remember! Thank you, and see you on the ice!