Following the pro-Hong Kong protest statements from professional Hearthstone player Chung “blitzchung” Ng Wai, Blizzard has suspended the player for a month.

Alongside Ng Wai being suspended from all professional tournaments for a month, the player will not receive any prize money he may have received in the process.

Here’s a statement from Blizzard on the ruling:

During the Asia-Pacific Grandmasters broadcast over the weekend there was a competition rule violation during a post-match interview, involving Blitzchung and two casters, which resulted in the removal of the match VOD replay.

Upon further review we have found the action has violated the 2019 Hearthstone Grandmasters Official Competition Rules section 6.1 (o) and is individual behavior which does not represent Blizzard or Hearthstone Esports. 6.1 (o) is found below.

Here is the rule that Blizzard say Ng Wai violated:

Engaging in any act that, in Blizzard’s sole discretion, brings you into public disrepute, offends a portion or group of the public, or otherwise damages Blizzard image will result in removal from Grandmasters and reduction of the player’s prize total to $0 USD, in addition to other remedies which may be provided for under the Handbook and Blizzard’s Website Terms. 

In the original interview, Ng Wai said “liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our age!”, a rallying cry for the millions that have been protesting for independence in Hong Kong.

Ng Wai’s support for the protests make sense, considering he is a Hong Kong native. The proposed amendments would mean Hong Kong citizens could be extradited to China, further eroding their individual freedoms in the city state.

It’s also worth pointing out Blizzard has fired the two Hearthstone hosts from the original interview with Ng Wai, both of which physically ducked under their desks when the interview began and most likely had no idea what Ng Wai would say. Blizzard has also disabled comments on the news post for their decision, which they normally have open.