League of Legends Professional Suspended Over Remarks on Women Competing

Bwipo Expresses Regret for His Harmful Commentary

Prominent League of Legends player, Gabriël ‘Bwipo’ Rau, faces suspension following controversial statements made on Twitch. Bwipo asserted that women should not engage in competitive play during their menstrual periods, citing inadequate support for female athletes and differences in their anatomy compared to males. Initially, some listeners might have expected him to advocate for greater support for women in esports but were surprised by the direction of his comments.

Bwipo further remarked that even male players can lose their composure while gaming, emphasizing that for women, the phase of their cycle can hinder their competitive performance. His comments were based on personal observations from living with a female League of Legends player, which he used to justify his perspective. He insisted that his intention was not to come across as sexist, though his video later vanished from online platforms.

Eefje “sjokz” Depoorter, a host and creator associated with League Awards, publicly disagreed with Bwipo’s stance in a video response. She expressed disbelief that such outdated views still exist, highlighting the ability of women to achieve extraordinary feats, such as setting Olympic records and managing demanding responsibilities, all while dealing with menstrual discomfort. Sjokz also questioned the assumption that male players are devoid of emotional reactions during gameplay.

In reaction to Bwipo's statements, his team, FlyQuest, released a statement on social media affirming that his remarks contradicted their organizational values. They stressed how detrimental such comments could be, potentially deterring aspiring female players from entering the esports arena. Consequently, Bwipo received a suspension from participating in an upcoming LTA playoff series. FlyQuest announced that any winnings he would have received will be redirected to initiatives supporting women in the gaming sphere. FlyQuest is known for promoting inclusivity, featuring a team called Red, which highlights women and gender-diverse participants in gaming.

In the wake of FlyQuest’s disciplinary action, Bwipo issued a public apology via the social platform X. He acknowledged his misconduct and expressed sorrow for the harm his words caused. Bwipo apologized, stating he lamented using his position to propagate negativity and discrimination instead of encouragement. He committed to self-reflection and promised to improve his understanding and support for the community.