Warning: Some readers may find aspects of this story upsetting
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, has responded to criticism of the Esports World Cup by encouraging critics to visit the event.
The event has been criticised as an attempt at ‘sportswashing,’ the act of using sport to improve reputation by providing a distraction from unethical conduct. In Saudi Arabia’s case, the criticism of the state includes human rights abuses, including those towards members of the LGBTQ+ community. Before EWC this year, Team Liquid LGBTQ+ segments were edited out of EWC’s Amazon Prime documentary in Saudi Arabia.
In the interview with Esports Radar, the former ESL FACEIT Group Chairman stated: “It is only possible to build this because everyone works together. It is only possible because the players want to come, the clubs are supporting it, the game publishers are supporting it, the esports industry is supporting it as a whole, and there are still obviously people out there who have a certain picture of Saudi Arabia and talk about it.”
“I was at a similar position five years ago, so well I didn’t know about the country. You guys are here now,” he told Esports Radar, “so you could say first-hand: this is very different than you think, and I think experiencing is a much better strategy than judging.”
He went on to say: “We just want to invite everyone to come, see some of the best esports of their lives, and get a first-hand impression of the Kingdom’s hosting capabilities.”
Reichert’s statement has been criticised as shallow, lacking consideration for Saudi Arabia’s human rights violations, and lacking nuance regarding minorities. For example, would “everyone” include members of the LGBTQ+ community who may not feel as safe and welcomed in the Kingdom where their identities are regarded as illegal?
LGBTQ+, Saudi Arabia, and the Esports World Cup
Saudi Arabia’s official line regarding LGBTQ+ tourists is “Everyone is welcome to visit Saudi Arabia and visitors are not asked to disclose such personal details.”
UK Government travel advice states, “Same-sex relations are illegal, although legal action is uncommon. All couples should be aware of local customs and avoid showing affection in public.”
Homosexuality remains illegal in Saudi Arabia, which follows Sharia law. The crime is punishable by death, with the penalty being enforced as recently as 2019. Sex outside of marriage is also illegal for heterosexual couples, however, provisions are made for tourists, allowing unmarried couples to share hotel rooms.
Regarding transgender travellers, the advice notes, “Being transgender is not recognised in Saudi Arabia. Transgender people could also face difficulties with dress codes and access to medical care.”
The high-profile suicide of student, Eden Knight, in 2023 led to international awareness of the conditions of harassment and abuse of transgender persons in Saudi Arabia. Knight allegedly returned to Saudi Arabia in an attempt to mend relationships with her family.
When she returned, her passport was reportedly taken by her family, with the Saudi Arabian government allegedly ordering her to delete her X account where she shared her story online.
Unable to live as her female self, forced to work in the appearance of a man with her hormones confiscated by her parents, she committed suicide in March 2023. The BBC noted, “We have spoken to several transgender Saudis, now living outside the kingdom, who told us about the harassment, and in some cases violence, they had experienced.”
The treatment of transgender people in Saudi Arabia has had an effect on the competition, with transgender Apex Legends player, Hambino, deciding not to attend the ALGS event at EWC.
Talking to Esports News UK, Hambino stated, “It is illegal to be queer under Sharia law in Saudi Arabia. I very recently came out as trans, and I personally would not feel safe being in an environment surrounded by people in a country where they could legally murder someone like me.”
Would Ralf expect Hambino to simply come and enjoy the event?
Saudi Arabia and punishment of its critics
Additionally, Government travel advice advises against making public criticisms of the Saudi regime, stating:
“It is illegal to say publicly anything that the Saudi authorities deem disruptive to public order. Avoid making comments verbally or on social media on the topics below:
- The King, Crown Prince or Royal Family
- The Saudi government or authorities, including the police
- Islam
- the country’s culture, beliefs and ways of public life
- Issues that could be perceived as political, including wearing clothing with political slogans or carrying flags or banners, especially when performing Hajj and Umrah
- The situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Speaking publicly about these issues can be defined by the Saudi authorities as posing a threat to national security. Statements made on social media many years ago, or those published outside Saudi Arabia, may be taken into account.“
Criticisms of Saudi Arabia in the past have led to multiple recent arrests of visitors in the nation, including Ahmed al-Doush, who was reportedly jailed for 10 years due to a seven-year-old tweet, according to his wife Amaher Nour via The Guardian.
So the question then is whether Ralf Reichert really expects “everyone” to be able to come and enjoy their time watching video games at the Esports World Cup. Certainly, LGBTQ+ members, socially conscious Social Media users, and members of the press might feel reluctant to do so as they could easily fall afoul of the above guidance.
Ralf may have been able to look past Saudi Arabia’s human rights violations and learn to love the home of his likely lucrative new role, but can the same be said for all?
Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports News UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.