You are looking at a roster change that followed a disciplinary review inside one of esports’ most established organizations. Team Liquid removed Overwatch player Rupal “Rupal” Zaman after he used a racial slur, ending his time on the team.
The decision came after the organization assessed the incident and chose to part ways with the player. This move reshaped the team’s lineup and placed the focus on conduct and accountability within competitive Overwatch.
Overwatch player Rupal removed from Team Liquid
Team Liquid removed Rupal from its Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS) lineup on March 16 after he used an anti-Black racial slur in in-game chat during a scrimmage. Co-CEO Steve Arhancet confirmed the decision in a public post on X.
You can see from the organization’s statement that leadership addressed the issue immediately after learning about it. Arhancet apologized directly to Black players, fans, and community members affected by the incident and stated that the language violated the standards Team Liquid expects.
He made the organization’s stance clear:
- The language was unacceptable.
- It does not align with Overwatch’s community standards.
- It does not reflect Team Liquid’s values.
Team Liquid launched an internal review as soon as the matter came to its attention. After completing that review, the organization decided to release Rupal from the roster rather than pursue suspension or other disciplinary measures.
You should note that Team Liquid requires players to meet professional standards both in competition and in public spaces. According to leadership, players receive media, communication, and sensitivity training as part of their onboarding process. Despite those measures, the incident occurred, prompting the organization to reassess its internal systems.
Arhancet stated that Team Liquid will evaluate and strengthen its onboarding and retraining procedures. The organization also plans to introduce clearer accountability structures to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
At the time of his removal, Rupal was a recognized competitor within North America’s Overwatch scene. His departure also led to broader consequences, including separation from related competitive opportunities.
Team Liquid emphasized transparency in its response. Leadership stated that the organization intends to address failures directly rather than rely on vague language or limited statements.
You can interpret the move as a firm disciplinary action tied specifically to conduct standards. The organization framed the decision as part of its responsibility to its players, fans, and the wider esports community.
USA Overwatch World Cup drops Rupal
You see the fallout extend beyond Team Liquid. Team USA’s Overwatch World Cup committee announced on X that it removed Rupal from consideration for the 2026 roster.
Officials cited a zero-tolerance policy for discriminatory conduct. They confirmed he typed the slur in team chat during a live-streamed scrimmage.
- Player removed from 2026 consideration
- Incident occurred on stream
- Policy enforcement described as immediate
Rupal addressed the situation publicly the next day. He acknowledged his background in a Bengali household in the United States and said he has personally faced racism.
“No excuses from me.”
You can trace the decision to the program’s stated standards, which require players to represent the national team without conduct that undermines its code of behavior.
How You Addressed Team Liquid’s Decision
You responded on X and admitted fault without offering excuses. You acknowledged that, given your own experiences facing racism in different countries, you should have understood the weight of the word you used.
You described the incident as a serious personal failure and accepted responsibility for it. You also clarified key points:
- You do not view yourself as someone driven by hate.
- You value meeting people from all backgrounds.
You made it clear that your actions did not reflect the standards you expect from yourself.
