The Esports World Cup's Fugitive Identity The sudden relocation of the Esports World Cup from Riyadh to Paris within eight weeks has raised more questions than answers about the tournament's credibility.
Organizers claim they adapted quickly to safety concerns, but critics point out that this move doesn't address the underlying issue of "sportswashing" – using high profile events like the EWC to improve a country's international reputation while sidestepping human rights abuses.
The Esports Foundation, founded with Saudi Arabian support, has been criticized since its inception for promoting sportswashing.