As per the qualifier regulations (drive.google.com/file/d/1ZH60JuJi24Gs5xkP_E8UUyas74ijx95V/view?usp=sharing), under 6. Eligibility, "Players from Russia and Belarus are invited to set neutral flags (or no flag) on their Lichess profile page, and submit a simplified transfer request to FIDE if they reach the Knockout stage. Refusal to do this may result in removal from the event and their place given to the next eligible player."
This is very vague. In fact, it is not even clear whether the refusal to comply with both "invitations" WILL result in a disqualification. Or whether it is a must for Russian and Belarussian players to set their flags on Lichess to something other than their countries' flags (despite Lichess writing in their own blog a few months earlier that they do not believe in the removal of the Russian flag from Lichess). Where do you draw the line?
Otherwise, cool for Lichess. But please make the rules clearer.
This is very vague. In fact, it is not even clear whether the refusal to comply with both "invitations" WILL result in a disqualification. Or whether it is a must for Russian and Belarussian players to set their flags on Lichess to something other than their countries' flags (despite Lichess writing in their own blog a few months earlier that they do not believe in the removal of the Russian flag from Lichess). Where do you draw the line?
Otherwise, cool for Lichess. But please make the rules clearer.