This is a very tricky situation, but we've made a decision. Tanking rounds in order to gain an advantage later in the tournament is unacceptable behavior. It's unsportsmanlike and disadvantages some teams simply through the order of play. In most sports, it can even lead to
immediate disqualification. However, since it was not specifically mentioned in the rules, I don't feel comfortable straight up dq'ing the Drizzlers.
As it was Melee Mewtwo who asked his players to throw their games, he will be given an Unsportsmanlike Conduct infraction and will be removed as manager of the Drizzlers. He can choose a member of his team to take over as manager for the remainder of the tournament. From now on, any player found to have deliberately thrown a game will be infracted and removed from the tournament.
As for how we'll be deciding who faces the Drizzlers in the final, there are a few possible outcomes. First of all, Nayrz vs Steelskitty and Piexplode vs Tesung will be replayed. Now:
- If both the Zekroms and the Rayquazas lose this week, the result of the Drizzler game is irrelevant, as the Helix Fossils would qualify regardless. In this case, the Fossils will play the Drizzlers in the final.
- If the Fossils lose and either of the Rayquazas or the Zekroms win, whichever team finishes 2nd will face off against the Drizzlers in the final.
- If the Fossils win and either of the Rayquazas or the Zekroms win, the Fossils will face the 3rd placed team in a playoff to decide who reaches the final.
- If the Fossils and the Drizzlers tie, there are a few options:
- If the Fossils end up 2nd and either of the Rayquaza or the Zekroms win, there will be a playoff game between the Fossils and whoever finishes 3rd.
- If the Fossils end up 3rd or 4th, whichever team finishes 2nd will meet the Drizzlers in the final.
If a playoff is required, the winner will be decided in a Bo3, with 1 XY, 1 BW and 1 DPP game. Managers will submit their three players and the players will then have 4 days to complete their games, but should strive to get them done ASAP.
This should set the precedent that deliberately throwing games to rig the tournament, absolutely will not be accepted in future.