Photo: LN24
Esports and politics don't always mix and since the start of the war in Ukraine, many organizers have decided to take a stand against the Russian invasion. To name a few, we can talk about Riot Games on Valorant or the ESL Pro League on CS:GO, which have banned organizations with a link to the Russian government. Players are spared for the moment and they are still invited to participate under a neutral banner. Everyone will have their own opinion on the matter, some would like the sanctions to go even further, others regret the position taken.
In this eternal debate, Valve stands out for its great neutrality. It must be said that its two big games, CS:GO and DotA 2 are very popular in Russia. It is difficult in this context to get angry with its historical partners and the Russian community. But a recent event forced Valve to react with vehemence: a player in full competition was accused of supporting the war by drawing a sign of support for the Russian army. Faced with the wrath of the international community, Valve did not procrastinate too much by disqualifying the player and his entire team (Virtus.Pro)... The least we can say is that the latter n did not really appreciate and denounces relentlessness and discrimination .
The sign of support that caused controversy: watch out for the Z
The Z in Russia designates neither Zinedine Zidane nor Zemmour. But it is a symbol of support for the Russian army which is painted on its tanks and helicopters. Basically, it would mean the origin of the troops, which would come from the "Western Military District ". Its exact meaning is however confusing and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would have explained that the Z would symbolize victory... Not speaking Russian, it is difficult to get a precise idea, but one thing is certain: the Russian government uses the Z to support its troops and in public life in Russia, it is not uncommon to see pro-war or pro-Putin people wearing clothes or flags flocked with this famous letter. A sportsman like the Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak notably displayed a jersey with the Z during the World Cup.
In short, what you have to remember is that the Z has a very heavy meaning... Now that you have this element in mind, know that during the Virtus.Pro vs Mind Games match on the DotA 2 pro circuit , a technical pause occurred, freezing all characters on the map. If during the break, the players cannot move, they can "draw" patterns on the mini-map to pass the time and amuse the gallery. And Ivan "Pure" Moskalenko couldn't think of anything better than drawing a big fat Z. Obviously, this one could be a Zizou fan. But given that he's Russian and plays for Virtus.Pro, a team with ties to the Russian government, it really sucks.
The explanations of the player: the thesis of the accident
The community, Ukrainian but more generally Western, really did not appreciate the gesture and made it known on the networks. It should also be noted that the player and the structure did not frankly calm the game. The two did not really publish an apology on the networks and they even tried to justify Pure's behavior. The latter explained that he was bored during the break and that he and his teammates decided to draw things on the map to pass the time. He didn't realize he had drawn a Z and as soon as he did, he covered it up with the help of his team. This was all just an unintentional accident ...
On the second part of its history, it is true and we can see that the Z is quickly erased. But the first part of his explanation is still perplexing. The player is only 18 years old and some will say that at this age, we have the right to do some bullshit . But when you make a mistake, the best thing is to assume and make amends afterwards. Making excuses usually only makes the situation worse.
Virtus.Pro, an angry structure
Virtus.Pro has a lot on the potato and denounced a "shocking" and unprecedented sanction. The team terminated the contract of its player, but in its press release it emphasizes above all that the latter penalized his team by being the cause of a collective disqualification. It is only later that the problem of image and the question of the war in Ukraine comes, and this question is not even mentioned as such.
In general, Virtus.Pro has communicated several times to complain about the treatment it receives internationally. Whether this evening on DotA 2 or CS:GO, she denounces pressure and discrimination against her. Basically, the structure is not totally wrong and it is suffering from Russia's aggressive policy . Unfortunately for her, this latest "incident" isn't going to get her any better press.
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