Super Smash Bros. Melee player William "Leffen" Hjelte will not be attending this weekend's Evolution Championship Series in Las Vegas, Nevada, after failing to acquire a work visa in time, his team, Team SoloMid, announced earlier today.
The visa delay comes after Team SoloMid announced in May that it had successfully acquired Leffen a temporary visa so he could compete through the summer season of Smash, a string of tournaments in North America beginning in May and ending in August. SoloMid now says that it was in the final process of securing a visa for the Swedish gamer as he awaited a letter of approval.
"I know this comes as a surprise to many, and it did to me as well," Leffen said in Team SoloMid's statement. "Words cannot describe how much competing means to me, and I'm still trying to process the fact that I'm going to be missing another tournament. I apologize to everyone who wanted to see me compete this weekend, and thanks for everyone who has continued to support me through these rough times."
Leffen had visa issues beginning last October when he was deported before attending The Big House 5 in Dearborn, Michigan. Since then, he hasn't been allowed to reenter the United States, and has been able to compete only in Canada and Europe in Super Smash Bros. Melee events.
Despite the setbacks, it appears he'll eventually make it back into North America once he receives his letter of approval, which SoloMid says can take up 60 days.