UPDATE April 9:
Blizzard has told Inven Global that Zalae’s suspension will be for a period of one year. When asked what triggered it and whether an investigation into the allegations was being considered and / or conducted, Blizzard said they are “not discussing internal suitability decisions.”
Original Story:
Blizzard has suspended Hearthstone Grandmaster player Paul “Zalae” Nemeth over allegations of abuse by his ex-girlfriend. Zalae was announced as a member of the Grandmaster circuit on Wednesday, April 7, but was suspended just one day and a few hours before the first games started.
Zalae was accused of domestic violence by ex-girlfriend Rini in January 2021. In a TwitLonger, Rini described the events of her relationship with the player, blaming a pattern of behavior where “Zalae repeatedly taunted / body position at me pretended to hit me, lock me up in tight spaces, make herself look bigger / threatening and physically grab my wrists tightly to hold me in the confined spaces ”. Rini admitted to physically punching Zalae in the arms twice, with the second allegedly triggering an outburst of rage in him.
“The second blow resulted in him physically picking me up and dragging me to the bedroom, throwing me on the bed, physically laying on top of me and putting a pillow over my face while he held me, effectively choking me until I succeeded. for a sigh to shout “I can’t breathe !!”
He was so furious, ”Rini writes.
Although the allegations surfaced in January and involved many high-profile members of the Hearthstone community, Zalae was still included as one of the Grandmaster players for the 2021 season. When asked for comment, Blizzard said Wednesday, April 7. to Inven Global that the company “is aware of the allegations and is reviewing the case”. Zalae was banned a day later, on April 8.
The official statement does not say how long Zalae’s suspension will last: be it temporary, seasonal, or permanent. Although solicited for comment, Blizzard has not yet told Inven Global whether an investigation has been initiated or even considered. According to Inven Global sources, there was no attempt at an investigation reaching out to the grieving party between January, when the allegations broke, and today.
The story develops.