An esports event touted as Switzerland's largest competition has been called off following a controversial social media post by the founder of the host team. The event, named 'Take the Throne,' centered around the popular video game 'Rocket League,' where players control cars to score goals with a ball, akin to soccer. It was scheduled to be held on November 23 at the Batiment des Forces Motrices venue in downtown Geneva.
The turmoil began when the founder of the BDS team, Patrice Bailo de Spoelberch, made an anti-abortion statement on social media, stating that 'A woman who dares to use abortion should lose the right to ever have children.' Although the post has been removed, it sparked outrage among the esports community, prompting three rival teams - Gentle Mates, Karmine Corp., and Team Vitality - to withdraw from the competition.
In a joint statement, the departing teams denounced the 'disrespectful and controversial' nature of the comment, asserting that it conflicted with their clubs' values. BDS responded by disassociating itself from the founder's remarks, emphasizing that they did not align with the organization's principles.
Consequently, BDS announced the cancellation of the event, citing the need for 'internal measures' to address the situation promptly. Bailo de Spoelberch issued an apology, acknowledging that his initial statement was 'extremely clumsy' and did not reflect his true beliefs. He clarified that every woman should have autonomy over her body and the right to terminate a pregnancy.
Despite the event's cancellation, the promotional website for the competition remains active, highlighting the global popularity of 'Rocket League' since its inception in 2015. The incident underscores the increasing significance of esports, with the International Olympic Committee exploring the inclusion of Olympic Esports Games to engage younger audiences.
