Leslao released from Soniqs over racist remark

Rodrigo “Leslao” Lelis (via Liquipedia)

North American Dota 2 team Soniqs has just released Rodrigo “Leslao” Santos over a racist remark he had written on his in-game effigy. The effigy popped up right after the game ended between Soniqs and BOOM Esports. The effigy was marked with the words “run” followed by a slur most commonly associated with African-Americans. 

The controversial in-game effigy (via u/jerryfrz on Reddit)

Soniqs then released a statement on Twitter saying that they have released Leslao from his contract with the organization and that they “hold players to a high standard of professionalism and have a zero-tolerance policy towards racism or discrimination of any kind.”

pic.twitter.com/xLsyOPesne

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— Soniqs (@SoniqsEsports) October 19, 2022

Some esports fans on the internet have argued over the unfairness of the team’s decision. They said that it was unfair for Soniqs to punish Leslao for actions he did a long time ago. Meanwhile, some agree with Soniqs’ decision, stating that any form of racism is intolerable.

Observer cost Leslao his job lol

— Nick Corby (@thenickcorby) October 19, 2022

imagine kicking one of the best player for some "old mistakes" even tho leslao were already ask for forgiveness

— . (@denelnelnel) October 19, 2022

Leslao has since apologized for the remark, saying that he had “carelessly written it many years ago and then forgotten about it”. There have been no other statements or remarks from Leslao following the apology.

The message on my effigy was just brought into focus. It's clearly inappropriate and hurtful, and I apologize for ever writing it. I had carelessly written it many years ago and then forgotten about it, and I'm deeply sorry for both doing so and not checking/removing it earlier.

— Rodrigo Lelis (@lelisdota) October 18, 2022

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