"The Union" would be allowed in Anscention?

#1

Pedim

To everyone not familiar with the case: Challengers Brazil Split 1 is coming to an end today and "The Union", a debut org in Valorant, is a serious contender to become one of the brazilian representatives in Ascension Americas. The problem? Two players of the roster are involved in sexual criminal offenses: NTK was convicted some years ago for domestic violence (he even dragged his girlfriend by hair); and Pancc harassed a minor 2 years ago (and even admitted it on Twitter).

Riot Global, its partners and sponsors would be ok with that? If The Union qualifies to Ascension, wouldn't be controversial to let both play normally? I believe riot global sponsors don't wanna risk to associate its images with these guys - that even can become winners of the damn thing.

What do you guys think about?

Sources: https://draft5.gg/noticia/jovem-de-16-anos-acusa-pancc-de-assedio-sexual; https://canaltech.com.br/esports/jogador-de-valorant-ntk-ja-foi-preso-por-agredir-ex-namorada-195457/ and https://g1.globo.com/distrito-federal/noticia/2015/12/rapaz-e-preso-no-df-por-agredir-namorada-e-arrasta-la-pelo-cabelo.html)

EDIT: I agree that, if they paid for their crimes, they have the right to move on. My concern is not from a moral point of view, but a practical one: will Riot sponsors (Ascension and Americas Leagues) be ok with that?

EDIT 2: What about visa issues? Some countries won't accept convicted sexual offenders – including US (@soonwookong's take)

EDIT 3: The Union just won VCB Split 1.

#2

donut2612

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aint reading allat

#41

TS_ChedZ

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W

#3

DIEM

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aint clicking allat

#4

Faraday

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I don't know much context but if they were convicted and took the punishment in the past then I don't think they should be stopped today,

If they are a changed person let em go

#6

Pedim

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I agree. If they paid for theis crimes, they have the right to move on. My concern is with riot global sponsors'.

#5

Zsaber

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what do the fans think?

#7

Pedim

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Some have been shit talking The Union and making jokes about it; others are defending the right to separate personal life/professional valorant life etc. In general, it has been a controversial topic in brazilian community - and soon, a global controversial topic if they qualify.

#8

Mehika

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bro, ntk thing was from 2015.
almost 8 years after and people still think he is the same person wtf.

pancc is about 2-3 years too.

let these guys live.
all does shit things at around 18-19 years old.

#11

Pedim

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So, I agree that everyone has the right to move on. However, it is undeniable that the past matter in marketing; and riot global is powered by sponsors. If The Union qualifies, there's potential problems in allowing them to play Ascension or even Americans League, or no? That's my question.

P.S: I did shit at 18 years old, but never I have assaulted/harassed a girl.

#13

ambo69

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counter-argument: 18-19 year olds should know not to do that shit in the first place. Their age at the time in no way can excuse their actions

#15

Mehika

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ntk has a his side of history too, but nothing but nothing justifies what he did and he already paid for this.

pancc pretty much got baited, and age consent in BR is 14, I think there was a difference of 4 years in the relationship.
girl 16 he 20, so there was no crime but it was immoral.
and the girl didn't stop flirting with him, suddenly at one day she felt remorse and exposed him.

#23

capital_d_colon

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about pancc.
wasnt the girl 15 when they started talking?
and he was what 22.

also wasnt there multiple girls that came out that said he was weird to them?

#9

acnoway

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the players have already paid for their inflations

#26

Pedim

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I'm not concerned with legal procedures here. From the eyes of justice, they are free man indeed! But is not so simple: they need visas to travel and there are sponsors involved in Ascension and Americas League

#10

burritx

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That's a lotta words
Too bad I'm not readin' em

#12

brdreamer

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I don't know if you know but they are playing LAN on Riot's premises, if they are playing there, means Riot allowed them to, which also means that nothing will happen with them for Ascension.

#14

Pedim

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Different sponsors. Tbh, I have checked and Valorant Challengers Brazil barely have any sponsor. Ascension and Americas League will have tons of partners and sponsors – and there's a potential issue with the mentioned The Union players.

#22

brdreamer

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Do you really think that with Riot almost allowing betting houses they would care about something that happened ages ago? I don't think it will matter tbh.

#16

LuffyVlr

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They should be allowed to compete and to have their careers since they already payed legally for what they've done (at least ntk). But personally I'll not be supporting them and the team they compete at.

#17

Pedim

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Fair. For the very same reason, I'm rooting for VKS rn.

But what about the sponsors? I'm foreseeing some controversy if The Union qualifies.

#18

LuffyVlr

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Well, legally sponsors will not have any trouble but... They'll get in trouble with the public though.

As I've said, personally I'll not support people that commited such acts, but I won't judge those that choose to do so because they have already payed for it and many years have passed since.

#19

soonwookong

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I'm more concerned by VISA issues here, since iirc some countries won't accept ex-convicts, especially of major crimes like sexual or drug-related

Edit: it's apparently not specific to those crimes, differs in each country, and am too lazy to verify each countries' rules

#20

Mehika

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Yeah.
Japan for example doesn't accept.
Sick, ntk
They will never be able to play in Japan I guess.

And Riot seems to want to host more events in Japan.. so they're fucked.

#24

soonwookong

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After a quick search apparently USA is one of them... That means they probably won't be able to attend their own league if they won Ascension. That would really be a problem

#25

inlucid

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damn this is huge

#27

Pedim

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At this point, I'm pretty sure there will be problems

#30

soonwookong

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damn they won split 1 too

#21

Pedim

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Haven't thought about that. Good point!

#28

crashhacker1

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guys who already paid for their crimes and have indulged in a career to improve life for themselves and doing well at it? what do they get? hate from their own countrymen. its a hard life out there, huh.

#29

Tessszy

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A new “JAIL VALORANT” concept

#31

Pedim

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LOL

#37

TheNotoriousNargas

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Taking Jail valorant to a whole new level

#32

KCNTV

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i dont think they qual. m80/guard/9z look better

#33

Pedim

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Ascension Americas will probably be hosted in US. The Union already won VCB Split 1, so there's a big chance they will qualify for Ascension. To sponsors, it doesn't matter: in ascension, every team has a chance to qualify for the main league.

#45

KCNTV

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i phrased it wrong, i dont think they qual for franchising. For Ascension they are guaranteed i think. They do seem to me top 4-5 on the region on tier 2 level, counting NA and Latam.

#36

randomperson

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they can qual to ascension
they only have to face m80/the guard/9z in ascension

#34

flames-leleo

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Riot will pretend it never happened, unless there is public pressure then they would probably take action

#35

randomperson

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this ^
big companies and brands don't care unless there is public pressure
nothing will happen

#39

Pedim

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You're probably right. However, in the last week, the public pressure is increasing a lot in Brazil - even GTN and other pros are talking about it now (and...there's the potential visa issue).

#38

TheNotoriousNargas

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Ascension will probably be hosted in NA, meaning NTK probably won't be able to attend the tourney + if they win it all he probably wouldn't even be granted a visa, so idk what will happen

#40

ajwinner

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They will just kick the players, also NTK already played at a Riot global LAN

#42

Pedim

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Did he? I thought Vivo Keyd dropped him before masters (or champions idk). But yeah, maybe the org will kick them out after guarantee a spot in Ascention LOL

#44

number1_MIBR_hater

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eles jogaram o masters com ele

#43

soonwookong

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Good point, but those cases haven't surfaced up at the time, and those lans were in EU instead, which means visa issues would be different I think

#46

Pedim

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Update: apparently, they can indeed receive a visa, but it is not so simple. Only NTK is convicted - as far as we know - and domestic violence does not necessarily make you inadmissible in US. Pancc situation can be worse, as being charge of sexual abuse of a minor can prevent you from entering US - even if you are not convicted. By law, they have to tell US government about these charges/convictions during visa application. Although possible, permission to enter and stay is NOT A GUARANTEE. Both probably will need to be approved by an Immigration judge - which means: hire an immigration lawyer and go through a not very fast process - with a lot of costs adding up.

Regarding sponsors, no information about potential internal/commercial pressures.

Source: a Brazilian valorant journalist, friend of mine, that is looking into it.