The international esports community was recently thrown into controversy during the Overwatch World Cup 2023 qualifiers, marking a significant moment in the gaming world. A Saudi Arabian player participating in the event was banned after making derogatory comments about a transgender caster.
Overwatch, the popular team-based multiplayer game developed by Blizzard Entertainment, hosts annual tournaments inviting competitors worldwide. The 2023 Overwatch World Cup allowed players to co-stream the matches on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube, giving fans an opportunity to experience the event from their favorite players’ perspectives.
However, the spirit of sportsmanship was overshadowed during the first weekend of the EMEC qualifiers. A Saudi Arabian player, while co-streaming the matches, was observed insulting a transgender caster. This incident sparked immediate backlash, leading to the player’s ban from all official Overwatch esports programs, as announced by Overwatch Path to Pro on June 27.
The Overwatch administration issued a statement highlighting that the co-streamer’s language towards the caster violated their code of conduct. They expressed regret over the incident and offered an apology to anyone affected by the remarks.
The banned co-streamer wasn’t initially named in the statement. Yet, due to significant public outcry, it was deduced that the players involved were Legendary of Triple Esports and Alivelol of Onyx Ravens. They were allegedly seen hurling insults at a transgender caster during their co-stream of the qualifiers, referring to the caster as an “animal” and a “pig”.
The incident first came to light when FOREVER774, a tank player from Poland, tweeted about the disrespectful comments following their team’s defeat against the Saudi team.
Despite the controversy, Saudi Arabia has been performing well in the EMEC qualifiers with a 4-0 win record. Their team, boasting players from the champion team Twisted Minds, was favored to reach the main event.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the gaming community in upholding inclusivity and respect for all participants, regardless of their gender identity. It sends a clear message that esports authorities will not tolerate behavior that breaches their code of conduct, reinforcing their commitment to making the gaming world a safe and respectful space for all.
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