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 referred to 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 event, although he was allowed to maintain his prize cash for putting within the closing eight. Quarterfinalists obtain $15,000 whereas the winner receives $50,000.
The choice was criticized by some followers for altering the event, although others got here ahead to defend The Pokémon Firm’s judgment.
“After I first heard about it I assumed Pokemon was being delicate, however after seeing the clip I believe they made the precise name. He ought to know higher. It will possibly’t be emphasised sufficient how a lot Pokemon is geared in direction of youngsters. 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 lower at worlds meant. He’s a deserving champion.”
Finally, Cifuentes gained the event, 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 difficult” in Pokémon because of the method the event is structured. “Usually the match isn’t thought-about to be over till you have truly signed your match slip…And in order that’s kind of that key second. There’s different form of moments, and that is actually advantageous element and kind of the principles and insurance policies, however within the [Swiss-system tournament] for instance, when the knowledge is definitely put within the pc could possibly be an element, as a result of then we’ve got to pair the following spherical. Single elim is slightly 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 event will happen. The Pokémon Firm additionally shared the discharge date for Pokémon TCG Pocket and different data. Yow will discover every part 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.