UPDATE April 9:
Blizzard told Inven Global that Zalae’s suspension will be for a period of one year. As to what determined it or whether an investigation into the allegations was considered and / or conducted, Blizzard said it “does not discuss internal eligibility decisions.”
Original story:
Blizzard has suspended Hearthstone’s great master’s player, Paul “Zalae” Nemeth, following allegations of abuse by his ex-girlfriend. Zalae was announced a member of the Grandmaster circuit on Wednesday, April 7, but was suspended just one day and a few hours before the start of the first matches.
Zalae was accused of domestic abuse by his ex-girlfriend Rini in January 2021. In a TwitLonger, Rini detailed the events of his relationship with the player, citing a pattern of behavior in which “Zalae was repeatedly provocative / physically me, as it were to hit me, locking me in small spaces, making me look bigger / threatening and physically grabbing my wrists to keep me in small spaces ”. Rini admitted that he physically hit Zalae twice in the arms, and the second one would have provoked an attack of anger in him.
“The second slap led to him physically lifting me up and dragging me into the bedroom, throwing me on the bed, physically putting me on top of me and putting a pillow over my face while holding me down, actually suffocating me. until I managed to get a breath to shout “I can’t breathe !!”
He was in such a rage, “Rini writes.
Although the allegations surfaced in January and involved a large number of profile members from the Hearthstone community, Zalae was still included as one of the Grandmaster players for the 2021 season. When asked for comments, Blizzard told Inven on Wednesday, April 7. Overall, the company is “aware of the allegations and evaluates the issue.” Zalae was banned a day later, on April 8.
The official statement does not mention how long Zalae’s suspension will last: whether it is temporary, seasonal or permanent. Although a comment has been requested, Blizzard has not yet told Inven Global whether an investigation has been initiated or even considered. According to Inven Global sources, in January, when the accusations broke out and today, there was no attempt to investigate contacting the grieving party.
The story unfolds.