Three of our region’s best teams: Mindfreak, Mindfreak Black and Tainted Minds fought it out in the group stages of the 2017 CWL Championship with only one team making it out. Mindfreak Black the Australian squad, managed to survive the group stages but was marred by controversy due to the way they won against Team Elevate.

According to Dexerto, Zach ‘Zed’ Denyer from Team Elevate had technical difficulties with his controller making him unable to move during the deciding fourth map. The team stopped playing which counted as a forfeit ultimately kicking Team Elevate out of the competition. With controversy surrounding the topic, Activision released a statement addressing the rules Team Elevate broke:

“During the fourth map of the Group Stage match between Elevate and Mindfreak.Black on August 10, 2017, the controller owned and operated by Elevate player Zach “Zed” Denyer malfunctioned.

As stipulated in Rule 8.6.1.2 (Player-Owned Equipment), of the Call of Duty World League Official Handbook, “[the] administration is not responsible for ensuring Player-owned equipment is in working condition.”

Following the malfunction of the player-owned equipment, team Elevate refused to complete the match. At the time of malfunction, Mindfreak.Black led the series 2-1 and the fourth map [Hardpoint] by 27 points (83-56).

MLG officials have determined the decision from Elevate to refuse playing is in violation of Rule 8.6.3.2. Stoppage of Play – “Players may not end a game under any circumstances without approval from Administration”; Rule 6.1.1 – “Participants are expected to compete at the best of their ability at all times during Competition Matches, Events and/or Tournaments”; Rule 6.2.6 – “Participants must comply with all instructions or decisions by the Administration”

Mindfreak.Black has been awarded the victory due to the violations from Elevate.”

With Team Elevate forfeiting, Mindfreak Black was awarded the victory and the team has progressed into the winner’s bracket where they will face Optic Gaming tomorrow. Mindfreak Black are the only APAC team as well left in the CWL competition with Tainted Minds and Mindfreak not making it out of the group stages.

You can watch Mindfreak Black take on Optic Gaming from 1:30AM AEST (Sydney Time) on http://MLG.tv/CallofDuty