SK Svenskeren provokes Taiwanese media with offensive summoner name, Fined and Suspended by Riot Games

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By Kelsey Moser September 16, 2014 1:00 PM
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    When professional gamers travel between countries, it's important to keep in mind cultural sensitivities. Some of these offenses can be nuanced, but others are much more overt. Dennis "Svenskeren" Johnsen, jungler for SK Gaming, traveled with the team to compete in Group B in Taipei for the 2014 Season World Championships. Upon registering a practice account on the main Taiwan server, he selected the summoner name "Taipeichingchong."

    "Ching chong" is a term frequently used to mock the Chinese language and its various dialects and is widely considered racist in nature. Many players on the server saw the name and began to complain about it on the Taiwanese LoL forum. Word spread to the media, and Apple Daily, a Taiwanese news outlet, published an article about Svenskeren and his chosen summoner name on their website.

    Svenskeren has since changed his name and apologized for his actions.

    In Apple Daily's article, it is stated that Riot Taiwan demanded Svenskeren apologize to the public immediately and are considering whether or not to take further action. Many speculate that punishment might not come until after Worlds to avoid punishing the rest of the team for Svenskeren's mistake, but SK Gaming has flown in their substitute jungler, Berk "Gilius" Demir as their required substitute by Riot Games, just in case.

    Update 1: SK Gaming has issued an apology

    As an eSports team, intercultural respect is not only a part of what we do, it is a lifestyle we foster actively. This has always been one of the paradigms we had when starting the team more than 17 years ago. Even though we understand Svenskerens actions today were not meant to harm or disrespect anyone, they caused people feeling offended and therefore go against one of the core arguments SK Gaming is standing for.

    Svenskeren apologised immediately after it happened via Twitter to the public, which was important, but not enough from our point of view. Therefore we are releasing this statement to make sure the community understands that we take this very seriously and feel like we have to take responsibility as well.

    Over the years, SK Gaming has been an eSports team with players from all different origins and countries. Mutual respect for each other is what we want our players to learn among other things during their time with us. That includes gender, nationality, language and many many more.

    We do hope the community accepts the apology of Svenskeren as a player and SK Gaming as his organisation.

    Update 2: Riot Games have penalised SK Gaming's jungler Dennis “Svenskeren” Johnsen for his offensive summoner name. Riot Games has announced that they have punished Svenskeren as he has broken Rule 9.2.4 of the World Championship ruleset.

    9.2.4 Discrimination and Denigration.

    Team Members may not offend the dignity or integrity of a country, private person or group of people through contemptuous, discriminatory or denigrating words or actions on account of race, skin color, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, financial status, birth or any other status, sexual orientation or any other reason.

    Riot games have suspended Svensekeren for 3 World Championship games and have fined him for $2,500.

    mage credits: LoLesports.com

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