Professional Overwatch League player Jonathan “DreamKazper” Sanchez has been indefinitely suspended following allegations of sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old girl.
The allegations aired yesterday in a letter written by the 14-year-old girl. She accused 21-year-old Sanchez of using his status to pursue an explicit online relationship with her – a fan of Overwatch League – while in full knowledge of her age. Her letter was accompanied by screenshots of Twitter conversations she had with Sanchez.
The Overwatch League and Sanchez’ team Boston Uprising were quick to take action.
Last night Boston Uprising tweeted: “The Boston Uprising has learned of allegations against Jonathan ‘DreamKazper’ Sanchez. We take all allegations of this nature very seriously and as a result DreamKazper has been suspended from the Boston Uprising indefinitely. We will not be commenting any further while we investigate the matter.”
And last night Overwatch League tweeted: “Earlier today the Overwatch League was made aware of the allegations against Jonathan ‘DreamKazper’ Sanchez. He is suspended indefinitely while the league investigates this matter.”
Sanchez hasn’t tweeted since disciplinary action was taken.
Sanchez’ suspension comes a month after Dallas Fuel parted ways with player Félix “xQc” Lengyel following a second bout of disciplinary action taken by the Overwatch League. Three other players also faced punishment.
These disciplinary events have tainted Overwatch League’s inaugural season, which is only a few months old (it began in January). However, it also shows strong intent by Blizzard to establish a positive image for Overwatch League, and to not be dogged by associations of toxic behaviour as with standard, non-professional Overwatch play.
Sanchez’ suspension also soured a milestone moment for Overwatch League at the weekend: the debut of first female player Kim “Geguri” Se-Yeon. Chris Bratt was at Overwatch HQ at the weekend to watch her, and to put some big questions to Overwatch League commissioner Nate Nanzer (the business with Sanchez hadn’t yet happened when he talked to him).