AVALUS Penalized After Alleged Physical Confrontation Between Sonneiko and ATF at PGL Wallachia
Mr.Cat > esports > AVALUS Penalized After Alleged Physical Confrontation Between Sonneiko and ATF at PGL Wallachia
Tensions ran high even before the match began at the PGL Wallachia Season 2 Dota 2 tournament, where a reported altercation between AVALUS’s Sonneiko and Team Falcons’ ATF caused a stir within the esports community. Allegations of a physical confrontation surfaced before the match, leading to significant penalties for AVALUS, which ultimately affected their performance against Team Falcons. The incident has raised concerns about tournament security and player conduct, prompting questions from fans and players alike.
The Incident
According to reports, the confrontation took place on October 6, 2024, shortly before AVALUS was scheduled to face Team Falcons. Initial statements suggest that Sonneiko approached ATF in a hotel lobby in Bucharest, Romania, and allegedly threatened him, placing his arm around ATF’s shoulder and implying physical violence. The roots of the altercation reportedly date back to an online dispute between the two players three months prior.
Conflicting Accounts
As often happens in such situations, the details are murky, with conflicting versions of the story from both parties. ATF claims the confrontation stemmed from an earlier pub game dispute, during which he called Sonneiko “braindead,” leading to threatening messages from the AVALUS player on X (formerly Twitter). However, ATF dismissed these threats as mere online banter at the time.
In his version of events, ATF says that in the hotel lobby, Sonneiko made physical contact and issued threats, despite attempts by AVALUS staff to defuse the situation. Sonneiko, on the other hand, acknowledges sending a message after the pub game incident but denies making physical threats. He claims that he sought a peaceful conversation with ATF, given their shared Muslim faith, but insists it was ATF and his teammate, Oliver “skiter” Lepko, who escalated matters. According to Sonneiko, ATF provoked him by shouting, “Punch me, go on, punch me right here,” while Skiter used offensive language.
Tournament Organizer’s Response
PGL, the tournament organizer, acted swiftly in response to the incident. They imposed a Level 3 Penalty on AVALUS for their entire series against Team Falcons, reducing their bonus drafting time by 110 seconds. PGL condemned the players’ actions, reaffirming their commitment to sportsmanship and respect within their events.
Consequences and Community Reactions
The Dota 2 community was shocked by the incident, with reactions divided. Some supported ATF, while others questioned whether AVALUS’s punishment was too harsh. Gaimin Gladiators’ midlaner, Quinn “Quinn” Callahan, weighed in, arguing that disqualification from the tournament might have been a more fitting punishment, as there should be a clear boundary between online trash talk and real-life threats.
The penalty left AVALUS at a disadvantage during their match against Team Falcons, contributing to their 2-0 series loss. Meanwhile, Team Falcons expressed concerns about player safety and are reportedly considering withdrawing from the tournament.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the need for professionalism and sportsmanship in esports. The altercation between Sonneiko and ATF underscores how quickly disputes can escalate into serious consequences. Moving forward, both players and organizers must take responsibility to resolve conflicts before they reach such extremes.
At this time, neither Team Falcons nor AVALUS has issued further statements regarding a potential withdrawal or additional sanctions.
Follow Up
It appears that veteran Dota 2 player KuroKy has stepped in to mediate the tension between ATF and SoNNeikO. A photo featuring the former Team Liquid TI champion alongside both players was shared online, signaling a resolution to the conflict.
ATF kept his message brief and to the point in his post:
“Drama aside, good luck everyone, it’s time to win.”
SoNNeikO, however, provided more insight into the situation:
“We resolved the problem.
Thanks to KuroKy for helping us talk things out. Once we had the chance to actually speak, we resolved the issue in just a few minutes. Next time, I’ll handle situations like this better.
Let’s play Dota and have fun!”
This positive outcome avoided what could have escalated into a bigger, unfortunate incident in the Dota 2 scene. The confrontation had sparked widespread discussion about cyberbullying, in-game toxicity, and how online trash talk can lead to real-world consequences.
In the end, the situation became a valuable learning experience for everyone involved. KuroKy’s role in resolving the conflict further solidified his reputation as a peacemaker and a positive influence within the Dota 2 community.
Unfortunately, KuroKy’s own team, Nigma, did not fare as well in the PGL Wallachia Season 2. They were eliminated in the 12th-14th positions after a modified Swiss system led to their exit, with one forfeit, one win, and two losses. The forfeit occurred due to travel delays affecting players Amer “Miracle-” Al-Barkawi and Sumail “SumaiL” Hassan.
