📝 Team Liquid release Rupal days ahead of OWCS start

Rupal "Rupal" Zaman has been released from Team Liquid following the use of a racial slur during a recent scrim. During the scrim against Spacestation Gaming, which Rupal was livestreaming, the flex support was seen typing a slur in team chat.

As soon as the message was typed, word quickly spread throughout social media and eventually reached co-CEO of Team Liquid Steve Arhancet.

After the screenshot of the match chat started circulating on social media, Team Liquid co-CEO Steve Arhancet made a swift announcement. Arhancet stressed the severity of the decision and that everyone who represents the Team Liquid banner is expected to represent the team to a shared set of standards. Arhancet announced how, after conducting a formal review of the incident, the decision was made to release Rupal from the Team Liquid Overwatch Roster.

Alongside Team Liquid, the USA OWWC team also condemned the incident and have since removed Rupal from Overwatch World Cup trials.

Rupal posted his own statement apologizing for the incident and confirming that he will take a break to reflect on the matter and focus on himself.

With Rupal’s release, there are many questions surrounding Team Liquid’s plans for OWCS, seeing as they are now down to only one support player. However, the roster signing window closed on February 21. According to OWCS rule 5.1, teams with five eligible players may make an emergency signing only with official approval from the administration. Because Team Liquid have five eligible players, it is unclear if they will be allowed to make a new signing.

Team Liquid will play their first match of Stage 1 on March 21 against Gorilla’s Disciples.