The League of Legends European Championships has been called off indefinitely as health concerns become more prescient, with one member of staff suspected of exposure to coronavirus.
Making the announcement on Twitter, the LEC states that in light of the ever-evolving situation around the coronavirus pandemic, which now includes travel restrictions and various other disruptions, the team has decided to postpone all remaining games in the spring season for the time-being. The staff-member who may have possibly contracted the virus is in self-quarantine, and the LEC notes that nobody has been formally diagnosed as yet.
“At this point in time, no member of the LEC staff or players has tested positive for COVID-19,” the statement reads. “However we have reason to suspect an LEC staff member may have been exposed to the virus. This person is in self-quarantine and is being examined by health professionals.” No indication was given on a time-frame for games to be re-scheduled, but the LEC promises an update when it has more information.
On March 12, both the LEC and LCS decided to begin hosting games behind closed doors, meaning fans and media couldn’t watch inside the venues. Instead, everyone could watch on livestreams, minimizing the risk of infection or exposure.
Important update about the #LEC pic.twitter.com/WSOZEQ21MZ
— LEC (@LEC) March 13, 2020
Unfortunately, someone among the staff potentially being infected puts everyone at risk. This decision comes just one week out from the LEC Spring Split play-offs, wherein G2 was the only team to have already guaranteed a spot. Fnatic and Origen were both only one win away from doing the same.
