When Fnatic had to play with subs in two consecutive international events nobody had this discussion about them not deserving it by that same logic of demon1 not making it.
demon1 was supposed to be the 10th man while reformed were to be the 6th.. So they submitted the visa applications for only the previous core + reformed to Riot.
They got 4 other players in the roster trying to prove themselves just like demon1 was before bcj got benched. You never know who steps up when given the opportunity
ofc they 'deserve' it but it still sucks
plus fnatic at the time was there a emea that that was good that could replace them?
Like C9 could replace EG and still have a real shot