So many people are completely ignoring that even if we took the context of everything happening in China out of the equation Blitzchung still broke tournament event rules. Those of you expecting a full reversal is more or less trying to give him a free pass for throwing a charged political statement into a Blizzard event, taking advantage of the full publicity after winning the event. You ask for a reversal of logical consequences for him then you are more or less saying it is okay for other players to blatantly mic drop charged political comments during other events if the timing and situation aligns and calls for it.
I don't care if there are politics I do or do not agree with. I still don't want politics shoved into my entertainment when it is avoidable. Maybe Millenials think it's all cool to just hijack events for their own reasons but I prefer to keep human rights and entertainment in their mostly separate categories in most situations. Wanting these two vastly different topics separate is not saying you agree or disagree with what is going on on the other side of the world, contrary to popular belief.
Engaging in any act that, in Blizzard’s sole discretion, brings you into public disrepute, offends a portion or group of the public, or otherwise damage’s Blizzard image will result in removal from Grandmasters and reduction of the player’s prize total to $0 USD, in addition to other remedies which may be provided for under the Handbook and Blizzard’s Website Terms
It's very vague. Bliztchung didn't even say anything offensively, he said the slogan to show his support for HK protestors. And in term of punishment, there's no part that says Blizzard can ban you 1 year from their tournaments and take away all your prize money. Team America did the same right after, they literally showed "boycott Blizzard" sign on the camera, where was their punishment huh? Because Chinese wasn't offended in this case?
FIFA fined (not suspended) two players in their 2018 World cup event because they showed Eagle hand gestures to the camera(it was a political statement). FIFA is much larger (and more corrupted) than Activision Blizzard, 2018 WC was broadcast worldwide, even then they knew where was the borderline.
By making such extreme punishment I'd say Blizzard has showed their political stand on this one and it's a Pro-china one. This is just pure hypocrisy and you know it.
Post the rules then? I skimmed though GRANDMASTERS OFFICIAL COMPETITION RULES https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/page_media/w4/W4NWIBHB74T31564507077190.pdf and only found this part
It's very vague. Bliztchung didn't even say anything offensively, he said the slogan to show his support for HK protestors. And in term of punishment, there's no part that says Blizzard can ban you 1 year from their tournaments and take away all your prize money. Team America did the same right after, they literally showed "boycott Blizzard" sign on the camera, where was their punishment huh? Because Chinese wasn't offended in this case?
FIFA fined (not suspended) two players in their 2018 World cup event because they showed Eagle hand gestures to the camera(it was a political statement). FIFA is much larger (and more corrupted) than Activision Blizzard, 2018 WC was broadcast worldwide, even then they knew where was the borderline.
By making such extreme punishment I'd say Blizzard has showed their political stand on this one and it's a Pro-china one. This is just pure hypocrisy and you know it.
Battletag: Rks#1733
Region: NA
Trade Only?: Yes
done