Blizzard has suspended Paul “Zalae” Nemeth from Hearthstone esports tournaments.
“Hearthstone Esports is aware of allegations made against Americas Grandmaster, Paul “Zalae” Nemth. Upon further review, we have suspended Zalae from competing in all Hearthstone Esports events,” stated the game’s official esports account on Twitter.
In January 2021, Zalae’s former girlfriend Rini published a TwitLonger post . It detailed Rini’s allegations against the Hearthstone player.
“But I’m tired of keeping quiet and I really wanted his current girlfriend to see this because honestly, I can’t deal with the idea of her possibly getting hurt like this or worse, and it would be on my conscience for not speaking up,” Rini wrote in the post.
After Blizzard’s tweet on Zalae’s suspension, Rini wrote that she felt heard. She thanked those who pushed for a response and those who believed in her.
Completely floored but I feel so heard 😭
Thank you to everyone for pushing for a response and for believing in me.
I am lost for words, truly. https://t.co/9Rw2Dzam6t— Rini (@lidlRini) April 8, 2021
“Thank you to previous women who came out & gave ME the strength to do so as well,” she wrote in another tweet.
Rini also acknowledged the individuals who reached out to her both publicly and privately, noting that it helped her get through the stress and anxiety she had since publishing the TwitLonger.
Also, man, I can't think properly, but I can't say thank you enough to people who reached out publicly AND/OR in private in solidarity.
It has GENUINELY helped me get through the amount of stress and anxiety and sadness I have had since I first came out with my story.
Thank you.— Rini (@lidlRini) April 8, 2021
Rini retweeted Sayaka as well, who is a member of the Hearthstone community.
“As someone who was once close with Zalae, I am on the side of the victims involved and can attest that this suspension is 100% justified,” Sayaka wrote. “There is no place in esports for a man who abuses women. Thank you Blizzard.”
The suspension arrived one day ahead of Hearthstone Grandmasters 2021 Season 1, which will kick off on April 9.
