MoistCr1TiKaL responds to concerns that Moist Esports is competing in Rocket League tourney in Saudi Arabia

Jul 1, 2022

▲ *Image via Charles "MoistCr1TiKaL" White*

Ever the popular gaming influencer, fans were shocked to see Charles "MoistCr1TiKaL" White's organization, Moist Esports, listed as one of the Rocket League teams heading to Gamers8, an upcoming tournament held in Saudi Arabia. But Charlie has responded to these fans, denying that the team is participating in the event.

Gamers8 is an international Rocket League crew battle tourament with $2 million on the line. While this may initially sound exciting, the event is steeped in controversy since it's taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has been consistently seen as a problematic country due to ongoing human rights violations, including executions, sexism, and a lack of freedom of speech. The country was recently accused of "esports washing" in an attempt to distract the world from its many problematic policies with fun esports events. Gamers8 would be one of the most recent in the string of tournaments.

A recent tweet from the official Gamers8 account showed that Moist Esports had been invited to the event alongside Team Endpoint and Dignitas. Many fans immediately read this as Moist Esports confirming that it was attending the tourmament on July 14, surprised that Charlie would participate in something in Saudi Arabia.

One fan addressed this while Charlie was streaming a recent Rocket League tournament. Moist was watching the Rocket League Championship Series Spring Major match between Team Liquid and G2 Esports when a viewer commented that Moist Esports was attending Gamers8.

"The boys are going to the Saudi event? What? That's not even right. What? We're not going to the Saudi event," Charlie responded, seeming shocked.

On Reddit, fans questioned why Moist Esports was listed on the Gamers8 tweet then. The team also appears on the Liquipedia page for the tournament, where they are listed as participants. It says under their logo that they are "invited," however, not confirmed to be competing.

Teams that are confirmed to take part in the tournament include: