NAVI will miss ONE Esports Singapore Major 2021

On the official website of Natus Vincere, information appeared that Andrey 'Mag' Chipenko, who, together with RAMZEs, was going to replace the sick players, was diagnosed with COVID-19 before the flight itself. The management found a replacement for Andrey Chipenko in the person of ex-NAVI player Nikola 'LeBronDota' Popovich, however, during the flight, the pilots of the plane on which LeBronDota flew were forced to turn the air transport back and return to where they flew from.

"It is difficult to find a replacement when there are few free players, and it is impossible to use those who have already played in the first division. LeBron has already departed from the airport to replace Mag at the tournament, but his plane was returned back for technical reasons, after which the tournament operator failed There is only a connection flight left, during which the player's PCR test expires, and this significantly increases the risk that the player will be stopped on the road and the team will not be able to compete in the championship. "

According to NAVI, some players who had been in contact with Mag shortly before the discovery of the illness in the coach of Natus Vincere began to feel unwell and had a fever. If NAVI got to Singapore and there COVID-19 was found on one of the players, then the whole team would have to go to quarantine, which would interfere with the team not only in preparation for the second season of Dota Pro Circuit 2021, but also in general performance at this very DPC 2021 Season 2.

Due to the fact that Natus Vincere vacated one place in the group stage, the Wild Card teams will get not 2, but 3 invitations to this stage.

The first Major tournament of 2021 will take place from March 27 to April 4. 16 participants will fight among themselves and share a total prize pool of $ 500,000 and 2,700 rating points.