FunPlus Phoenix's Kyrylo "ANGE1" Karasov has revealed that Riot has put a ban on Valorant teams walking with flags in Masters Copenhagen. This is due to the intense political situation with the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has put a lot of stress on every part of life. The constant bombing and violence in Ukraine have put stress on sectors of the earth that weren't expected. Even the esports industry.
Riot's decision has had some varying reactions from the esports community. Some people supported the distinction between war and gaming, and some others thought it should be highlighted.
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Ange1's reaction to Riot Games flag ban
Amongst those who thought that the war should be highlighted was Ange1 from FunPlus Phoenix. The professional Valorant player shared his thoughts about the ban and why he didn't like it in a tweet.
As a Ukrainian player, he showed support for his home country by wearing the flag. His tweet sent out a message that speaking about the war is not something that should be shied away from.
Tradition vs contemporary
It is an unspoken tradition that teams competing in any major esports event show their country's flag. A way to highlight pride for their home country, it has happened multiple times.
Paper Rex was allowed to walk out with a flag at Valorant Masters Berlin last year and 100 Thieves have also taken part in this tradition. However, it does make sense that there has been a ban with tensions between the two countries.
With players from all over the world, some people may feel villainised by showing support for a political situation. Some users on Twitter also commented and said that real-world wars and politics should be kept separate from video games.