Team Solid & LOUD penalized for teaming at Free Fire EWC 2024

During the esteemed Esports Worlds Cup (EWC), a controversy arose between two Brazilian Free Fire teams, LOUD and Team Solid. They stood accused of colluding during the tournament.

At the Free Fire World Series (FFWS) Brazil 2024, Team Solid emerged as the victorious champion, earning them a well-deserved spot in the upcoming Free Fire EWC 2024. Meanwhile, LOUD finished in the fourth position.

At the Free Fire EWC 2024 tournament, a grand total of $1,000,000 USD is up for grabs in prizes. The winning team will secure an immediate qualification to participate in the final round of the FFWS Global 2024 competition.

Update: Penalty Points end up not playing major role

In the Grand Finals, the significance of the 5 Point deduction was minimal outside of having psychological impact. Liquid ended up in 6th place with a total of 57 points, a significant difference of 13 points from 5th place Bravado. Meanwhile, Team Solid ranked 12th with just 14 points, 10 points less than the 11th place team, TWIS. However, it was Team Falcons who emerged as the champions with a impressive score of 83 points.

Both LOUD and Team Solid penalized with -5 points for the Finals

In an announcement made officially, EWC revealed that after a comprehensive probe, they chose to impose penalties on both LOUD and Team Solid in the form of a 5-point deduction.

Since neither team earned any points during the Point Rush, they commenced the Grand Finals of the Esports World Cup with a handicap of five points, posing a significant challenge in their quest to emerge victorious.

The EWC Team carried out an extensive examination following the discovery of teams collaborating in the Free Fire competition to secure an edge over their rivals.

The findings from the investigation reveal that teams Team Solid and LOUD, acting independently, violated tournament rules by colluding with other competitors. In accordance with rule “15.11.4 Teaming Up,” a penalty of 5 points being deducted from their total score in today’s Finals has been imposed on both teams.

Under consideration are potential further consequences, which could be added to the existing penalties at a later stage.

What is ‘teaming’ in Free Fire?

As a fan of Battle Royale games, I’d describe teaming as a strategic alliance between two or more squads aiming for an edge in competition. In global tournaments, this collaboration often happens among teams hailing from the same geographical area or nation.

In different situations, this phenomenon occurs. For instance, a team that is falling behind and has little chance of victory might intentionally let the opposing team score points to boost their morale or competitive edge, especially if they share the same nationality.

In some cases, teams originating from the same geographical area or nation may make a pact not to engage in combat with one another unintentionally during gameplay. To distinguish themselves visually, these players might reveal their initial drop zones or adopt distinctive appearances, such as a flamboyantly red vehicle skin or a panda costume. Consequently, organized competitions typically enforce a uniform appearance among all participants.

Community unhappy for lack of proof

Members of the Brazilian fanbase, particularly supporters of LOUD and Team Solid, express dissatisfaction towards the penalty handed down by EWC. They argue that insufficient evidence exists to support the accusation.

The situation is being drawn a parallel with teams from other nations, particularly those from Thailand, who face similar allegations but have yet to be held accountable.

Previously discussed, the absence of gunfights between two encountering teams could be explained by alternative factors. For instance, it’s plausible that neither team had sufficient ammunition or were hesitant about the effectiveness of their weaponry.