Each Staff Liquid and the USA Overwatch World Cup group have distanced themselves from professional participant Rupal in gentle of his use of a racial slur.
23-year-old Overwatch professional Rupal Zaman has been dropped from Staff Liquid, and booted from any additional USA OWWC group trials after typing a racial slur in Staff Chat in the midst of a livestreamed sport.
The Help participant with over $350,000 USD in profession prize winnings, was on the shortlist to signify Staff USA at this yr’s World Cup occasion. Nonetheless, in the midst of a March 16, 2026 Twitch stream of the group’s trials, the participant price himself the spot.
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We received’t repeat the message right here, however an anti-Black racial slur was dropped into the group chat throughout the stream. This message has led to Rupal’s removing from the group trials, alongside together with his long-term professional squad beneath Staff Liquid.
Overwatch professional Rupal dropped from Staff Liquid and USA OWWC group
After the incident, the USA World Cup group despatched out an announcement, addressing how Rupal is “now not being thought-about for the 2026 roster.
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“We keep a zero-tolerance coverage for any such habits. Unity and equality are core rules of our group, and we’re dedicated to upholding these values.”
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Staff Liquid co-CEO Steven Arhancet adopted up moments later, asserting Rupal had been launched from their skilled Overwatch lineup as nicely.
“Considered one of our Overwatch gamers used an anti-Black racial slur within the chat throughout a scrim. I need to be unequivocal in condemning the language he used. There isn’t a place for it in our sport, in our neighborhood, or on this group.
“We additionally acknowledge that Rupal is a frontrunner in NA’s Overwatch scene, however he’s additionally an adolescent who made a severe mistake in a really public means. We hope this turns into a second of real reflection and development for him. Not the tip of his story, however a turning level in it. We want him nicely.”
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Rupal began his skilled profession in 2020. After a number of years within the decrease circuits, he made his Overwatch League debut in 2022 as a part of Florida Mayhem the place he would later win a world championship. He then had a stint with Toronto Defiant, and was on Staff Liquid for over a yr, till this incident.
“No excuses from me,” Rupal mentioned on X (previously Twitter) shortly after. “ I used to be raised in a Bengali family in America. I personally have skilled racism not solely in America however in different nations as nicely. Due to this fact, I ought to know that utilizing such offensive language is horrible and never one thing that ought to be mentioned so casually.
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Labelling it a “horrendous mistake,” Rupal introduced a break from aggressive Overwatch and streaming. “I don’t think about myself a hateful particular person. Sorry to all who supported me.”
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