After being forced to issue a statement once, SK-Gaming has forced us a second time to defend ourselves regarding the Gux situation.

It was with great pride and happiness that we welcomed back an old friend and team mate when we heard Rasmus 'Gux' Stahl rejoined the FnaticMSI herd. But before we could share this happiness with our followers and friends, we were shocked by a news article on the SK-Gaming website, claiming that we have treated them unfairly. 

We were forced to reply on this, and we openly documented our open and honest understanding of the situation. However, SK-Gaming once again felt that it was necessary to publicly accuse us of things that are untrue, showing private conversations in public and taking them out of context. Neil Kirk, Business Development Manager of FnaticMSI gave this statement on behalf of the whole FnaticMSI team:

"Once again it would appear that SK-Gaming are happy to air their dirty laundry in public and add fuel to the already burning fire.  Earlier today they released an article entitled “the facts and figures behind Gux’s departure”.  The title could not be further from “the facts and indeed figures”.  As any good journalist knows; there are always two sides to a story, but only one you publish, which you can always twist to ensure maximum controversy and as much of a positive (marketing) spin towards those you wish to protect – in this case SK.

Rasmus did not have a signed contract with SK-Gaming, due to the fact that negotiations were still commencing on the specific terms that were considered unacceptable to Rasmus. Therefore by definition SK cannot claim in any honesty he had a contract. In fact more to the point he was being "persuaded" to sign or potentially not receive payment of his salary. This is morally and professionally wrong.

Rasmus as we all know was booked to fly to Dallas. SK chose to not confirm that they would pay any outstanding salary to Rasmus, plus they would not confirm they would pay him prize money due once they received it.  Therefore SK decided not to take Rasmus to Arbalet Cup Dallas. Rasmus was fully prepared to go to Dallas. In this case as we explained earlier we wanted a professional and mutually agreeable situation, with a team whom we have had an amicable relationship with from day one and who are a fellow G7 members. As we stated previously, FnaticMSI has always aimed to do everything exactly by the book and be as professional as possible - we stand by that. We have a consistent record of buying players for fees out of contracts, with Christopher (GeT_RiGhT) and Bjorn (threat) two examples of that.  

At this point we (FnaticMSI) offered an option to Rasmus attempting to remove any angle that could be utilised. Our players all offered to donate a fee, plus FnaticMSI also offered to pay equivalent should SK revoke his rights to any further money. This is the money which would have gone to SK should we have bought Gux out of his contract – so it makes sense and benefits all? Unfortunately as expressed in earlier comments it was disappointing to understand that SK had no interest in dealing with FnaticMSI and that left the situation between Rasmus and Alex.

As you can read above we stand by our original statements.  If SK-Gaming wish to continue to broadcast what should be private and confidential emails and conversations then that is their choice. 

However, FnaticMSI can stand proud knowing that we tried on numerous occasions to deal with this matter professionally, openly and honestly.

This is the final time we (FnaticMSI) will be publically responding to such articles.  If SK-Gaming would like to continue any formal discussions then they can do so privately, professionally in the usual manner, which has worked well previously."

Once again it would appear that SK-Gaming are happy to air their dirty laundry in public and add fuel to the already buring fire.  Earlier today they released an article entitled “the facts and figures behind Gux’s departure”.  The title could not be further from “the facts and indeed figures”.  As any good Journalist knows there are always two sides to a story but only one you publish, which you can always twist to ensure maximum controversy and as much of a positive (marketing) spin towards those you wish to protect – in this case SK. 
It has been expressed in an earlier post on Fnatic.com by Sam that the team and I really wanted Rasmus back in the line-up for various reasons.  We were indeed concerned about SK-Gaming not meeting their commitments towards him financially and ultimately paying him money he was “legally” (in their terms) entitled to, so we (Fnatic) came up with a potential solution. We, the team and the FnaticMSI organization, will donate a portion of the money, may SK Gaming decide not pay the prize money he has earned, by the reason of him not having a documented contract that could be prodcued by either side.
As we stated previously Fnatic has always aimed to do everything exactly by the book and be as professional as possible -–we stand by that. We have a consistant record of buying players for fees out of contracts, with Christopher  and Bjorn two examples of that.  Regardless of what has been claimed in this situation;  firstly we once again stress that Rasmus did not have a signed a contract explicitly with SK-gaming, and was also due to fly to Dallas.  In this case as we explained earlier we wanted a professional and mutually agreeable situation, with a team whom we have had an amicable relationship with from day one and who are a fellow G7 member.
In a recent statement Sam also made it very public on certain factors and issues that followed – such as; our players had been chatting with Gux about rejoining and that Gux had no contract; Alex saying he would get back to us and did not; we (Fnatic) were prepared to pay for him if we had to, a nominal fee to show our respect for SK-gaming. However we must point out once again we did state that this deal would only go ahead as long as Alex would agree to pay all outstanding prizemoney owed to Rasmus. In addition to this there was also the issue that he had not received a salary for the previous two months, which meant even if there was a verbal concession of a contract, SK were still in breach of this contract.  I’d like to point out something that Fnatic always take pride in doing – paying their players as promised and on time. 
Like it or not we did not hear anything back from SK, and were afraid that should Rasmsu travel to Arabalet having no agreement about his salary (or prizemoney) that he would come back even worse off, which I’m sure you would agree regardless of the situation (or even if he remained in SK) was unacceptable.
At this point we (Fnatic) offered an option and remove any angle that could be utilised. Our players all pitched in to donate a fee, whilst fnatic aslo offered to pay for his salary for this month, should SK revoke his rights to any further money. This is the money which would have gone to SK should we have bought Gux out of his contract – so it makes sense and benefits all?  Unfortunately as expressed in earlier comments it was disappointing to understand that Sk had no interest in dealing with Fnatic and that left the situation between Rasmus and Alex.
There is no secret at this point that Rasmus did indeed then leave SK an ultimatum stating that either they agree to pay his salary and prizemoney owed, or regretably he would not travel to arabalet. It is a fact that Alex and SK chose the later option, which of course means Rasmus still will lose out.  
So as you can read above we stand by our original statements.  If SK-Gaming wish to continue to broadcast what should be private and confidential emails and conversations then that is their choice.  However Fnatic can stand proud knowing that we tried on numerous occassions to deal with this matter professionally, openly and honestly.