SonicFox, winner of the EVO 2024 Mortal Kombat 1 tournament and one of the most respected esports players in the world, will not compete in the upcoming Esports World Cup. According to the player, the decision was due to the influence of Saudi Arabia and the country's stance on homosexuality.
The FGC vs. Saudi Arabia's Esports Takeover | Esports World Cup Controversy
In an interview with VG247, SonicFox gave his thoughts on the Esports World Cup and specifically the growing influence of the Saudi government.
“I’m very vocal about this in terms of the Esports World Cup,” SonicFox explained. “Unfortunately, people like me and other trans people, a lot of people like us, just can’t compete.”
“I actually don’t think it’s a good idea to have this overwhelming government support in the FGC because it often discriminates against people,” they continued. Saudi Arabia has come under fire for its treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. According to the Human Dignity Trust, Saudi Arabia considers homosexuality a criminal offense, with the penalty in extreme cases even being the death penalty.
