That reason is nonsense, because they will meet either in the quarterfinals or the semifinals anyway. I definitely vote for the second option.

You're just talking nonsense now... the difference is huge, whether players from the same group meet, and I want to note that the first option's bracket provides for a meeting not in the ¼ finals – but at least in the ½ finals - or even in the finals!!! (it's strange that you're voting against the new, fairer option, even without downloading and looking at it)
By the way, this principle is used in almost all professional sports, for example: football, hockey, etc.

Since the first option was adopted after the start of the Competitive, it cannot be correct.

I agree that it is not entirely correct to change the bracket, but:
Firstly, in the initial bracket, besides the principle of the 1st place playing against the 4th and the 2nd against the 3rd, everything else is just "random" IMO.
Secondly, the bracket is not changed during the final stage, but at the group stage, so it should not greatly affect the players, unless, of course, the principle of the game and the position in the group are based on the bracket of the next stage ;)
Thirdly, the rules do not prohibit this!!! And it can be considered that this was a preliminary draw or just a small oversight by the organizers.

You can't re-deal the cards. I think violating the rules (namely, changing the draw during the tournament) is unacceptable, because the reason described above is not so important; they are not playing 1st and 2nd places in the groups, but only 1st and 3rd, which means the stronger 1st and 2nd will not meet, everything is fine.

Let's talk about the facts, not escalate the situation...
We are playing a duel tournament – not a card game, where in preference or another card game, re-dealing the cards after looking at them is a gross violation written in the rules... here I don't see a rule prohibiting changing the bracket :), and in general, I think that the draw should be held immediately before each stage, and ideally - after the end of the previous stage, so as not to encourage giving up.

Changing the draw during the tournament is a bad precedent and will affect your future tournaments. If you didn't like the draw, you should have said so before the start of the Competitive. I ask the judges not to give in. Show principle and do not change the rules during the Competitive. Or, if the herd instinct has already kicked in, then, as mentioned above, hold a re-draw after the group stage. Already a final one, although I would not change anything.

chudo_ud0 – you don't need to intimidate anyone here – this situation is just a small flaw in the regulations, "copied" from a source you know ;), and it will not negatively affect the development of tournament activities on Heroes 5 on Heroes World! There are no perfect rules yet, and there cannot be, and it is only a plus if they are adjusted without causing much harm to the tournaments themselves... the main thing is mutual understanding and respect for the organizer and participants, and of course, not to panic.

P.S. You can, of course, make a new re-draw or choose by voting from these two options – this is up to the organizers. But the principles on which the new bracket was created are fairer and more common in competitions.