In a shocking announcement late last night, GOMTV revealed that they would be banning non-Koreans from all future GSL events, effective immediately. The move comes after months of disappointing performances from foreigners despite programs designed to give them every possible benefit.

Fans reacted with shock and dismay at the news. Many prominent community members and team owners roundly criticized the league and swore that one of their own would eventually take advantage of the opportunity. “Just give us four or five more months. We promise. Come on. Pleeeeeease,” one team manager was quoted as pleading. But GOM has stood firm.

Foreigners have gone 2-17 in Code A matches over the past four months, and not a single non-Korean player has advanced to Code S through the lower league to date. “They just aren't very good,” said Mr. Chae in an interview posted on ThisIsGame and translated on TeamLiquid. “We let them have a house to come stay in. We formed a special, piecemeal GSTL team for them. We even gave them direct seeding into the most prestigious StarCraft 2 tournament in the world. And they're STILL terrible.” The executive went on to say, “all the foreign fans were anxious for HuK and IdrA to play each other in the second round of Code A last season. Neither even got that far, because they lost to Terious and Avenge. I run this league. I made those brackets. I don’t even remember seeing those two names before. Ever.”

While the reaction from the fans has been one of betrayal and outrage, the players have been more tempered in their responses, displaying a nearly universal front of tired resignation. “It’s quite a relief, really,” said one promising up-and-comer. “We all know we have no chance of actually winning over there. The only reason we go to Korea is for the barbeque and to hang out with Rekrul.”

When asked why they invited NaNiwa back to Code S, GOMTV representatives revealed that it was simply to keep the Swede in the country long enough to pass a law making probe-rushing a capital offence. NaNiwa is scheduled to be executed by members of the popular Kpop band Rain during the pre-show of this season’s GSL finals. The eventual champion will be able to take home the preserved head, a reward which is said to have greatly motivated the slumping NesTea.

On the other side of the world, Major League Gaming, who was recently at odds with GOM over NaNiwa’s Code S status, threatened to invoke an obscure clause in the MLG/GSL contract that would force Korean players to repay all money won by Koreans in MLGs over the course of the past year. This would be quite a blow, as Koreans have taken home more than $210,000 (76%) of the nearly $280,000 in total MLG prize money since last year’s Columbus tournament. “They don’t get it,” said MLG CEO Sundance DiGiovani. “They screwed us with a technicality over the whole NaNiwa thing. Now it’s their turn to squirm. We’ve got them by the banelings this time and we aren’t letting go. We get it. WE get it.”

It is unknown whether Koreans plan to honor that clause in the contract.

UPDATE: In a statement made on the Evil Geniuses website: “HuK managed to slip through a small air vent in the oGsTL house to escape his potential captors. His current whereabouts are unknown.”

Sources: ThisIsGame, TeamLiquid, Major League Gaming