KT Rolster first called out LCK officials for the “ambiguity of the rulebook” during the second game of the LCK Regional Qualifiers 2022 against DRX before making a public apology.

These two teams were competing in round one of the ongoing regional finals. The winner would move on to round two to face Liiv Sandbox for a chance to qualify for Worlds 2022 while the loser will meet the end of their season.

After dropping game one, KT Rolster attempted to make draft adjustments in the second game. However, when it was mid laner Lee “VicLa” Dae-Kwang’s turn to select a champion, there was a moment of silence during the broadcast — he had accidentally clicked the random pick button and locked in off-meta champion, Zyra.

KT vs DRX game two pick and ban phase during LCK Regional Qualifiers 2022
Screenshot by Ethan Shin/ONE Esports


KT Rolster apologizes for misunderstanding during LCK Regional Finals 2022 match against DRX

LCK Regional Qualifiers 2022: KT Rolster's social media post accusing LCK officials of ambiguity
Credit: KT Rolster, screenshot by Ethan Shin/ONE Esports

According to KT’s first social media post, the organization claimed that VicLa’s Zyra pick was not a random choice, but a pick made by mistake.

They had made numerous attempts to notify the referees when they suspected a selection error, citing the LCK Official Rulebook’s Article 7.7 Ban/Pick Processes Section 5 Selection Error clause. The game, however, was made to continue by officials.

KT Rolster proceeded to file a complaint with the LCK Secretariat. They responded, explaining that a “re-pick is only given when a player mistakenly chooses Anivia when the player wanted to choose Annie.”

The organization then took to social media to express their displeasure with LCK’s official stance, despite winning their second game with the random Zyra pick.

About 45 minutes later, they issued an official social media post confirming that VicLa’s selection was, in fact, a random selection, and apologized for the “delayed understanding of the situation.”

However, they maintained their displeasure with the LCK officials over the “ambiguity of the rulebook” and suggested that a clause be added to the regulations allowing a player to change their pick if it was chosen by mistake and the mistake is reported to the referees before the opponent chooses the next champion.

LCK fans expressed mixed feelings about the situation on DC Inside, the most popular League of Legends forum in South Korea. According to one user, a team “should be able to change their picks if they were made by mistake, and the rulebook doesn’t mention anything about Anivia-Annie nonsense.”

Another user was critical of KT Rolster, insisting that “they should just apologize if it was their mistake.”

KT Rolster eventually lost to to DRX 3-2 in the LCK Regional Qualifiers 2022 in a series that went all the way.

DRX will compete against Liiv Sandbox for a spot in the League of Legends World Championship Play-Ins Stage on September 3, at 4 p.m. GMT+8.

Fans can watch the match live on the official English and Korean Twitch LCK channels. Follow ONE Esports on Facebook and Twitter for more LoL news, guides, and highlights.

READ MORE: Upgrade or downgrade? LoL community debate about the new Worlds 2022 trophy