SavageTech CEO and BIG and MOUZ co-founder Tom J. Lemke said the attempt by Sashi to move into the Asian VRS was the final trigger behind the new restriction on regional assignments introduced by Valve.
According to Lemke, Valve specifically pointed to the use of dual citizenship when explaining why the rule was added.
Lemke says Sashi was the final trigger
Lemke said he spoke with Valve after the Major Supplemental Rulebook was updated and received an explanation for the timing of the change.
“After speaking with Valve they explained to me that @Sashi_Esport was the straw that broke the camel’s back, specifically the dual citizenship. Crazy.”
After speaking with Valve they explained to me that @Sashi_Esport was the straw that broke the camel’s back, specifically the dual citizenship.
Crazy.
— Tom J. Lemke (@TomJangLemke) October 6, 2026
Valve has not publicly named Sashi as the reason for the update. The statement therefore represents the account provided by Lemke following a private conversation with Valve rather than an official public explanation.
Sashi attempted to move from Europe to Asia
Sashi temporarily added Australian players Tynan “TjP” Purtell and Jordan “Hatz” Bajic on October 5 as part of an attempt to improve the chances of qualifying for PGL Singapore Major 2026 through the Asian VRS.
Together with Anton “Anlelele” Huynh, who has Vietnamese citizenship, the changes gave the roster three players eligible for the Asian region.
Mikkel “MistR” Thomsen and Casper “Cabbi” Jensen stepped out of the active lineup during the move. The changes came during the final weeks before the Major invitation cutoff.
The plan would have allowed Sashi to leave the European VRS race and compete for a Major invitation through the Asian regional ranking.
Valve introduced a three-month restriction
Valve subsequently added a new restriction to the Regional Assignment section of the Major Supplemental Rulebook.
“A roster is only eligible for a Regional Assignment if they did not appear in any other region’s VRS list in the preceding three calendar months.”
The rule prevents a roster from appearing in one regional VRS list and then immediately receiving an assignment in another region during the same Major qualification period.
The change blocks the planned Asian route for Sashi because the roster had already appeared in the European VRS during the preceding three calendar months.
BC.Game are also affected after moving from Europe into the Asian ranking. Unlike Sashi, BC.Game had already completed enough ranked matches to appear near the top of the Asian VRS before the restriction was introduced.
New rule closes late regional switches
The update removes the possibility of using late roster changes to immediately enter another regional Major race.
The timing is particularly important ahead of PGL Singapore Major 2026, with invitations determined through separate regional VRS lists for Europe, Americas and Asia.
According to Lemke, the situation involving Sashi and dual citizenship was the case that pushed Valve to act. Valve has not publicly confirmed that explanation.
