VALORANT Champions Tour Europe, Middle East and Africa Challengers Week 3 games will be postponed, according to a release from the official VALORANT EMEA Twitter account. The release cites the ongoing crisis in Ukraine as the reason for the delay. The VCT EMEA matches, slated for Friday through Sunday, will be played at another time.
“Our community’s welfare is integral to us and, at this time, our No. 1 priority is to support the players, casters, staff and fans affected by the escalating crisis in Ukraine,” the statement reads.
After careful consideration, we have decided to postpone VCT EMEA Week 3 games. Our community’s welfare is integral to us and at this time, our number one priority is to support the players, casters, staff and fans affected by the escalating crisis in Ukraine.
— VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA (@valesports_emea) February 24, 2022
Some Ukrainian VCT EMEA players like Kirill “ANGE1” Karasiow, who plays for FunPlus Phoenix, have already taken to social media to speak out about the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The Commonwealth of Independent States VALORANT Regional League matches were also announced as postponed earlier on Thursday, according to a release on VK from the league. The tournament organizers, GIG.ME, made the decision to push Thursday’s matches due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Although none of VRL CIS teams field Ukrainian players, many have Russian and Belarusian players.
“Dear players, we have decided to reschedule today’s matches of VALORANT Regional League CIS: Landmark,” the VK statement reads. “We will definitely inform you when there is news.”
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to begin an invasion of Ukraine. The geopolitical consequences of the war stretch far and include esports pros who are affected by the conflict. The VCT EMEA and VRL CIS were postponed to accommodate these difficult circumstances.
