Hearthstone Sports announced today that it has suspended one of the game’s Grandmaster Tournament players, Paul “Zalae” Nemeth, following allegations of domestic abuse.
“Hearthstone Sports is aware of the allegations made against the great American master Paul ‘Zalae’ Nemeth. After further review, we have suspended Zalae from competing in all Hearthstone Sports events, “Hearthstone Sports wrote in tweet.
Blizzard confirmed in an email at Kotaku that the suspension is for one year, but made no further comment.
In a TwitLonger posted in January, a former Nemeth couple outlined the physical and emotional abuse she says occurred when they were together.
The answer from Blizzard, the developer and publisher behind it Hearthstone and his Grandmasters sports competition, comes after nearly three months of silence over the allegations and a day before the 2021 Grandmasters season begins. Sports site Inven Global reported that Blizzard told them it was “aware of the allegations and is assessing the matter” when asked for comments on April 7. On social media, many Hearthstone fans have expressed relief that Blizzard seems to have finally taken action.
Kotaku came to Nemeth and f. of Nemethormer partner to comment, but received no response in time for posting.