Twitch Upholds Suspension on League of Legends Streamer TF Blade for Saying “Idiots”
Twitch has upheld a suspension on League of Legends streamer TF Blade for saying the word “idiots.”
TF Blade’s real name is Ashkan Homayonu and he is an Iranian gamer who is currently signed onto Team Liquid. Team Liquid has dominated the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) this year with an 11-1 record after week six. They also won the 2019 LCS Spring Split Championship.
He reported earlier this week that he had been “suspended on Twitch for something I never said but Twitch missheard (Sp?) and assumed I did. LMAO.”
I actually just got suspended on twitch for something I never said but twitch missheard and assumed I did. LMAO
— TF Blade (@tfblade) April 23, 2019
He would later post an email from Twitch confirming his suspension, but noting they had reduced it from 30 days to 7 days.
THIS IS JUST NOT RIGHT, they just told me that they are leaving the wrongful suspension for 7 days???? here is the email: https://t.co/QTzTnJDZlq
— TF Blade (@tfblade) April 24, 2019
The email from Twitch reads in full:
“Hey Ashkan,
Just heard back. I’ve been told that after you submitted your appeal, to be as objective as possible they had numerous people listen to the clip, and unfortunately they all also heard the N word. Even after asking to listen for idiots, they couldn’t hear it. Because of that, they were originally leaning toward leaving the full 30 day suspension. That being said, I relayed your response, and highlighted your history, specifically your lack of previous infractions, and after further review, the appeals team has agreed to reduce your suspension from 30 days down to 7 days.
As I mentioned to you on Twitter, Twitch takes hateful conduct extremely seriously. I believe you when you say you weren’t being hateful, but it’s really hard to argue with the fact that several people on the Partner Conduct team all heard the N word in an objective review of your clip. I don’t believe you’re a hateful person, and I hate seeing my partners get suspended, just as I know you’re really frustrated by this situation. I know this wasn’t the outcome you wanted, but I hope you can agree that this is still a better outcome than the original proposal which was a month long suspension.
Let me know if you have any questions – I promise to help address any you may have to the best of my abilities.”
As you can see, Twitch believes TF Blade reportedly used the “n” word on a live stream. They state that “several people on the Partner Conduct team all heard the N word in an objective review of your clip.”
However, if you listen to the clip below you can very clearly hear him say, “Holy shit! Kill these idiots.”
Regarding @tfblade‘s ban, I’d hypothesize some degree of priming could have had an effect.
Watch the clip after I say “idiots” a bunch. I think you’re (1) more likely to hear “idiots” and (2) if you already heard it before, you’ll hear it more clearly.@Twitch @TwitchSupport pic.twitter.com/W29DIDWhP7
— Riot Blaustoise (@RiotBlaustoise) April 24, 2019
TF Blade would indicate the video above was a clip provided to him via his email and is the reason why he got “banned.”
This is actually the reason why I got banned, the clip was given to me through my email. It should really be obvious that you hear ‘ts’ for idiots.
— TF Blade (@tfblade) April 24, 2019
As TF Blade points out, Twitch upholding the ban could ruin his reputation. He notes this could negatively effect sponsors and might result in financial harm.
They are literally going to just ruin my reputation on a mistake that is on their side, this is truly unfair. All the sponsors will look at this without the full context and take the wrong point. I am seriously frustrated with this.
— TF Blade (@tfblade) April 24, 2019
A number of people have stood behind TF Blade after hearing the clip.
I’ve listened to the clip with TFBlade over 20 times now, it’s clear to me he’s saying idiots. We are reaching out to twitch to remove the ban and seek an apology for the misunderstanding. If this happens, we hope TFBlade accepts and we all move on.
— Steve Arhancet (@LiQuiD112) April 24, 2019
The whole @tfblade situation is awful. I once said “And that was great” on broadcast and a small amount of people thought I said “And that was rape”!
It feels really unfair to argue against what people HEAR. What you SAID is what matters. They are directly calling him a liar.
— Aidan ‘Zirene’ Moon (@Zirene) April 24, 2019
tf blade: idiots
what 20 twitch staff members heard: pic.twitter.com/7FWpJRdMWO
— Cpt. Buns (@CptBuns) April 24, 2019
TF Blade being banned for 7 days over something he didn’t even do is such bullshit. Just admit you made a mistake Twitch. The Man literally flies to EU to stream for his fans and gets wrongfully banned. That shit just isn’t right!
— Geranimo (@LoLGeranimo) April 24, 2019
Shouldnt Team Liquid make an announcement regardings TF Blade situation ? TF blae is obviously right on this and needs the support of the team that sponsors him. You are all in there so i am suprised there isnt an announcement yet.
— Solidakis George (@DieseldonEU) April 24, 2019
TF Blade getting banned for other peoples inability to understand basic english and then their refusal to admit the mistake makes me realize how many unqualified people are still stealing paychecks in 2019.
— Kublai Barlas (@Kubz91) April 24, 2019
Seriously though, this @tfblade stuff is among the dumbest things I’ve ever seen.
The waffling on length of ban on face value means Twitch never took that stuff into consideration initially, and cynically looks an attempt to shrink the ban without admitting fault.
— Mark Zimmerman (@TheeMarkZ) April 24, 2019
Bro how is that TFBlade clip even close to the n word? Man clearly said idiots you can even hear the T WHAT
— Kaze (@Snepai) April 24, 2019
What do you make of Twitch’s initial suspension for 30 days and then their reduced suspension for 7 days? Do you think they should remove the suspension and apologize or do you think they should issue a harsher punishment?
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