SK Gaming Trick will reportedly be ineligible for Worlds 2020

ESPN reports reveal SK Gaming’s veteran jungler Kim “Trick” Gang-yun faces potential disqualification from the 2020 World Championship should his team secure qualification for the Shanghai event.

The disqualification stems from critical passport validity requirements. Riot Games initiated early visa preparations by collecting passport documentation from all LEC organizations. During this audit, officials identified that Trick’s travel document falls below the mandatory six-month validity threshold required for Chinese visa approval. This specific regulation frequently catches international travelers unprepared, particularly those from Western countries facing complex visa procedures.

Consequently, Trick cannot accompany SK Gaming to China regardless of their qualification outcome. Teams often overlook passport expiration timelines during intense competitive seasons, creating last-minute roster crises.

While Trick represents the first confirmed case, industry insiders anticipate additional Western players may encounter similar obstacles. The challenging visa acquisition process for Chinese entry has prompted Riot to commence documentation reviews months in advance of the international tournament.

Trick will complete the 2020 LEC Summer Split with SK Gaming despite the looming Worlds restriction. The team confronts Schalke 04 in their initial playoff match as the fifth-seeded contender from regular season performance. This seeding necessitates navigating the entire lower bracket gauntlet, requiring four consecutive victories against increasingly formidable opponents to secure a top-four finish and Worlds qualification.

Should SK Gaming achieve this challenging playoff run, newly acquired jungle talent Marc “Canee” Behrend would experience his inaugural international competition appearance. Canee previously demonstrated his skills in Germany’s Prime League competing for OP innogy, though Worlds represents a significant competitive escalation.

Trick joined SK Gaming’s roster in December 2019, filling the vacancy created when Oskar “Selfmade” Boderek transferred to Fnatic. Despite his veteran status in the LEC, the team struggled initially, finishing ninth in the Spring Split. Summer brought marked improvement following strategic additions of mid laner Dirk “ZaZee” Mallner and top laner Janik “Jenax” Bartels to the starting lineup.

The playoff confrontation between SK Gaming and Schalke 04 commences Friday, August 21, with Worlds qualification hanging in the balance. Teams frequently underestimate documentation requirements during high-pressure competitive periods, though Riot’s proactive measures aim to minimize last-minute roster disruptions.

Professional esports organizations must implement passport tracking systems monitoring expiration dates at least twelve months in advance. Players traveling internationally should maintain passports with minimum eighteen-month validity to accommodate unexpected tournament opportunities and complex visa processing timelines.

The situation underscores critical differences between regional and international competition preparation. While domestic events require minimal documentation, global tournaments demand meticulous administrative planning alongside competitive training regimens.

Successful esports organizations now integrate passport and visa management into their strategic operations, treating documentation with the same importance as player development and tactical preparation. Organizations should conduct quarterly passport audits for all competitive roster members and maintain digital copies of critical documents for rapid submission when opportunities arise.

The Trick situation serves as a cautionary tale for teams aspiring to international competition. Proper documentation planning prevents talented players from missing career-defining opportunities due to administrative oversights.

For teams navigating similar competitive challenges, understanding strategic preparation frameworks becomes essential for sustained competitive success across multiple tournament seasons.

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