LGBTQ+ segment cut from Esports World Cup: Level Up in Saudi broadcast

The second episode of Esports World Cup: Level Up, a Prime Video documentary chronicling the 2024 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, has a significant sequence about the LGBTQ+ community missing in its Saudi Arabian version. As noticed in Mikhail Klimentov's report for ReaderGrev, the local broadcast omits a two-minute segment in which Team Liquid co-CEO Steve "LiQuiD112" Arhancet discusses his journey as a gay person in esports and the organisation's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

In the segment, LiQuiD112 says: “Our core belief at Liquid is that gaming is for everyone, regardless of gender, race, or sexuality.” He also talks about the internal conflict he experienced in attending the EWC and details the backlash the organisation received for participating in the Saudi-hosted tournament. In response, Team Liquid added a subtle rainbow to their Esports World Cup jerseys, with the CEO describing the design as "a statement to all the gamers in the world”.

As noticed by Mikhail Klimentov, all visible Pride elements and LiQuiD112’s remarks were removed or blurred from the version available on Prime Video in the country. Images of the edited jerseys show that even the smallest rainbow accents were pixelated.

Although no official explanation has been provided, Prime Video's regional policies allow for content alteration to accommodate "cultural sensitivities". Neither Amazon, the Esports World Cup Foundation, nor This Machine (the production company) responded to ReaderGrev’s request for comment.

In a response to Klimentov’s reporting, Team Liquid confirmed the censorship. The organization publicly condemned it: “While we understand that streaming services may comply with local policies, we disagree with this kind of censorship. [...] We are disappointed to learn that the Saudi broadcast was altered, but we will continue to wear our jersey with pride across the globe."

The decision to attend the Esports World Cup had already placed the organization under scrutiny. In another video, the organisation's co-CEO, Victor “Nazgul” Goossens, explained that advocacy groups had encouraged Liquid to attend and speak out rather than boycott in silence. However, with key parts of that "speaking out" censored in Saudi Arabia, many fans and activists are questioning the effectiveness of that approach.

Saudi Arabia still criminalises same-sex relationships and LGBTQ+ expression. The U.S. State Department and international rights groups have repeatedly denounced the country’s policies about the LGBTQ+ community, which can result in imprisonment or worse for expressing non-heteronormative identities.

This episode is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the Esports World Cup, which is funded by the Saudi Public Investment Fund and is closely linked to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan. A project that intends to diversify the country's economy and enhance its global image.

However, many view this as an example of sportswashing supposed to grow the country's softpower, and some popular streamers and esports figures have chosen to boycott the event or refuse to promote it.