Overwatch League pro player Felix Lengyel has been suspended from the tournament after using a homophobic slur on a live stream.
Felix, known as xQx and plays for the Dallas Fuel team, was fined $2,000 and suspended for four games in the Overwatch League, until stage two commences in February.
The league released a statement saying Felix had been suspended for ‘violating the Overwatch League Code Of Conduct during his individual stream on Thursday’.
While the statement didn’t specifically refer to the slur, it’s believed to have emerged after Lengyel hurled an insult at fellow player Austin ‘Muma’ Wilmot after his team Houston Outlaws beat Dallas Fuel 4-0.
Wilmot parodied one of Lengyel’s catchphrases following the win, which led to Lengyel – who didn’t play in the match – to react in an extreme fashion on a livestream.
On the livestream, Lengyel said: ‘Shut your f**king mouth. Go back there, suck a fat cock. I mean, he would like that.’
The streamer appeared to have been aware he’d crossed the line by going instantly quiet after the remark, with Wilmot being openly gay.
The pair have since reconciled over the remarks on Twitter, with Wilmot writing in response to Lengyel’s apology: ‘No hard feelings at all and I apologize for what I said back. You’re on a great team and I fully expect you to return to full force before playoffs.’
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Dallas Fuel has also issued a statement on the matter, writing: ‘We support the Overwatch League’s recent decision to suspend Felix “xQx” Lengyel. In addition to the league’s four-game suspension, we will be suspending xQx for the remainder of Stage 1.
‘We believe in working with our players to help them become the best possible competitors, professionals and teammates. That includes work both inside and outside of competition for Felix.
‘No one wants to see Felix succeed more than we do. It is our hope that he can return to the team with the passion, competitiveness and focus that it takes to play in the Overwatch League.’
It’s the first official eSports league for Blizzard’s first-person shooter, which has earned over 10 million viewers in its first week.
You can check out the event on the Overwatch Twitch channel.
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