Popular streamer Asmongold refused an offer on a sponsored stream from the organizers of the Esports World Cup. Talking in a video on his YouTube, he explained that the decision was purely made on personal grounds without having morals in it.
In reality, the first-ever Esports World Cup was won by Team Falcons in Saudi Arabia earlier in the year. However, the event also faced a tremendous volume of criticism based on the human rights record of Saudi Arabia and its stance regarding LGBT rights. Many prominent figures in the esports industry refused to be part of the event.
When Asmongold was pressed about the sponsorship offer from the EWC organizers, he avoided the question. He focused on making the point that the decision made is only one of personal preference, not because of any problems with ethics.
The Esports World Cup goes back to Saudi Arabia next year. For an event that is growing in stature year after year, it will be interesting to note how future participants react to the controversy surrounding its host nation.
