Information published by esports journalist Mikhail Kilmentov sparks new Esports World Cup censorship controversy.
In the Esports World Cup: Level Up Amazon Prime documentary series, a segment regarding Team Liquid’s support for the LGBTQ+ community is allegedly removed for viewers in Saudi Arabia.
Images of the Team Liquid Pride jersey’s rainbow flag elements are also blurred or deliberately obscured in editing.
LGBTQ+ inclusion and commentary in the unedited version of Level Up Episode 2
Starting from timestamp 04:36 in Episode 2 of Esports World Cup: Level Up, Team Liquid co-CEO Steve Arhancet provides important context regarding the team’s participation in the Esports World Cup.
He openly states in the segment, “In preparation for EWC, I have been pretty conflicted, personally.” He also noted that he found it “difficult to participate” in the Riyadh-hosted event given his identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
These comments are not elaborated on further in the documentary.
Instead, Steve Arhancet proceeds to show the Esports World Cup Team Liquid jerseys. Tailor-made for the event, the jerseys feature the pride colours in several prominent locations.
Esports World Cup censorship allegations – Level Up Episode 2’s LGBTQ+ erasure for Saudi viewers
In a post on ReadergGrev, Mikhail Kilmentov revealed that the episode has allegedly been censored for Saudi viewers, removing the direct references to Team Liquid’s support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Screenshots are also provided of the Team Liquid Pride logo blurred in a shot of one of the players.
Responsibility for the censorship has not been determined.
Amazon Prime Video notes that it may restrict access to titles with content potentially violating individual national or regional laws. However, restricting access is different by definition to directly editing content to censor specific segments and remove certain imagery.
Broadcasting a separate version of the episode is more likely to be a request from the documentary makers or country of broadcast which is then accommodated by Amazon Prime.
The story behind continued Esports World Cup controversy and Saudi Arabian esports
LGBTQ+ Esports World Cup censorship is not the first controversy to hit the event and its organisers.
Saudi Arabia is known for its extensively problematic human rights record. The Esports World Cup Foundation, which runs the Esports World Cup, is directly supported by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Reports of Human Rights Abuses
According to the Human Rights Watch World Report 2025, “Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has consolidated political and economic power, including as chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), a sovereign wealth fund that has facilitated and benefited from rights abuses.”
Regarding LGBTQ+ rights, the Human Dignity Trust reports consistent “discrimination and violence against LGBT people.” This includes “murder, assault, harassment, and the denial of basic rights and services.”
Amnesty International also notes that in wider Human Rights Law issues, “Courts sentenced people to death following grossly unfair trials. Women continued to face discrimination in law and practice.
Historical backlash against the Esports World Cup
These issues have led individuals in the esports community to openly protest the Esports World Cup both online and offline.
Popular game Geoguessr withdrew from participation in the tournament following their community’s protests against involvement. Their withdrawal came only one week after their inclusion was announced.
Responding to community concerns, the Valorant Competitive subreddit decided to heavily limit discussion about the Esports World Cup. This decision was made to limit the effects of “sportswashing” – the act of an entity using sports media to distract from their wrongdoings.
In Apex Legends, a professional player decided to completely withdraw from participation in the Esports World Cup, which is now integrated into the game’s primary competitive ecosystem. As a result, Esports World Cup controversy reignited in the ALGS community.
The player in question made this decision due to feeling unsafe in a country so publicly embroiled in anti-LGBTQ+ controversy.
Other esports community members have cited factors such as the treatment of individuals with disabilities as reasons to avoid supporting the tournament.
Regarding the Esports World Cup censorship in Level Up, Team Liquid also commented to ReaderGrev that they are “disappointed” by the move to block images and statements from the documentary.
Team Liquid also stated that they have raised the matter with the Level Up production team and Amazon.
Hannah is a writer specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, although it may never surpass her drive to passionately beat her friends in every game of Mariokart. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ESI London, EGX, Discover: Esports and many League of Legends watch parties.
