Pokémon World Championships competitor Ian Robb had seemingly defeated opponent Fernando Cifuentes within the quarterfinals of the Pokémon Buying and selling Card Recreation, advancing to the penultimate spherical of the Pokémon’s most prestigious aggressive occasion. However when the following spherical started, Cifuentes was in Robb’s place, sparking confusion amongst observers and throwing the bracket into chaos.
Because it turned out, Robb had been issued a loss over what The Pokémon Firm Worldwide World Esports and Occasions Director Chris Brown known as an “unsporting conduct penalty” in a follow-up interview with IGN.
“It was an unsporting conduct penalty,” Brown stated. “We utilized it to the match that had simply occurred and the usual penalty for that is a match loss.”
Ian Robb 選手の非紳士行為何かと思ったけど、準々決勝の最後に取った自慰行為のジェスチャーがダメだったっぽい。
#ポケモンWCS2024Day2 #WCS2024 pic.twitter.com/izx5vyabjq
— ゆうD (@ikuo_x) August 18, 2024
The unsporting conduct Brown was referring to was a movement that Robb carried out after claiming victory that many took to be an offensive gesture. The consequence was that Robb was faraway from the match, although he was allowed to maintain his prize cash for putting within the last eight. Quarterfinalists obtain $15,000 whereas the winner receives $50,000.
The choice was criticized by some followers for altering the match, although others got here ahead to defend The Pokémon Firm’s judgment.
“Once I first heard about it I assumed Pokemon was being comfortable, however after seeing the clip I believe they made the proper name. He ought to know higher. It could possibly’t be emphasised sufficient how a lot Pokemon is geared in the direction of kids. I absolutely perceive them desirous to discourage gestures like that,” one fan wrote on Reddit.
Robb, for his half, has been largely silent, although he did put up his assist for Cifuentes on X/Twitter. “I’m cheering for him right this moment. After assembly him and his dad I may inform how a lot making minimize at worlds meant. He’s a deserving champion.”
In the end, Cifuentes gained the match, defeating runner-up Seinosuke Shiokawa within the Masters division.
Requested for extra element on how the principles are enforced in such conditions, Brown stated it is a “little tough” in Pokémon because of the method the match is structured. “Typically the match shouldn’t be thought of to be over till you have truly signed your match slip…And in order that’s form of that key second. There’s different sort of moments, and that is actually positive element and form of the principles and insurance policies, however within the [Swiss-system tournament] for instance, when the knowledge is definitely put within the pc may very well be an element, as a result of then we now have to pair the following spherical. Single elim is a bit completely different. However finally we checked out it as that penalty mainly was assessed for the match that was in progress.”
Pokémon World Match wrapped up on Sunday, crowning its general winners whereas revealing data the place the following match will happen. The Pokémon Firm additionally shared the discharge date for Pokémon TCG Pocket and different data. You’ll find the whole lot introduced on the Pokémon World Championships proper right here.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s Information Director in addition to co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Ship her a DM at @the_katbot.