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Bwipo faces outrage after saying women should avoid competitive League during periods - Dexerto

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 17:24 GMT by Dexerto
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Turkish LoL Star Bwipo Faces Backlash After Tweet About Women “Avoiding Competition During Periods”

In the fast‑moving world of esports, a single tweet can ignite a firestorm of criticism and disciplinary action. That’s exactly what happened last week when Turkish League of Legends (LoL) competitor Bwipo (real name İlkay Yılmaz) posted a controversial statement on his personal Twitter account, sparking outrage across the global community and forcing his organization to take swift action. The incident is an echo of broader conversations about sexism and inclusivity in competitive gaming, and the swift backlash underscores how sensitive the industry has become to public discourse on gender.

The Tweet That Started It All

On March 27, 2024, Bwipo posted a short, unfiltered tweet on his account @Bwipo (follow the link in the original Dexerto article for the primary source) that read:

“Women should avoid competitive League of Legends during periods. It’s just not the right time.”

The tweet was posted during a mid‑season tournament, a time when the game’s viewership was at its peak. Bwipo, a 22‑year‑old Turkish professional player for the esports organization TGC Gaming, was widely known for his aggressive playstyle and his outspoken presence on social media. His comment, however, was quickly flagged by his followers as not only sexist but also medically inaccurate, igniting a chain reaction that culminated in a full‑scale backlash.

Immediate Community Response

Within minutes of the tweet going live, female players, commentators, and fans of the League of Legends community started to respond on platforms ranging from Twitter to Reddit. Key points of the community’s criticism included:

1. Medical Inaccuracy: The claim that women should avoid competitive gaming during menstruation was widely disputed by medical professionals. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has repeatedly stated that normal periods do not hinder physical or mental performance in sports, including esports.

2. Sexist Undertones: The tweet reinforced harmful stereotypes about women’s supposed fragility, a stance that many felt trivialized or ignored female players’ real challenges.

3. Impact on Female Representation: As female representation in LoL esports remains low (about 2 % of professional players), the comment was seen as a direct attack on a marginalized group that already faces harassment and exclusion.

A collective response on the TGC Gaming Discord highlighted that the organization had a zero‑tolerance policy toward harassment and discrimination. The same thread cited a link to the Riot Games official stance on harassment (again, a link available in the Dexerto article). Riot’s policy states that any player who exhibits “sexist, homophobic, or discriminatory behavior” faces potential disciplinary action.

Organizational Fallout

By the end of the day, TGC Gaming had issued a public statement on their official website and on social media. The statement—linked in the Dexerto article—confirmed that Bwipo had been suspended from all team activities pending an internal review. TGC Gaming also announced that they would conduct a formal investigation and that the player’s contract was subject to termination if the investigation determined that his comments constituted a breach of the organization’s code of conduct.

The investigation involved:

• A review of the tweet and its context
• Interviews with Bwipo and the team’s HR department
• Consultation with a legal advisor specializing in labor and discrimination law

TGC Gaming pledged to cooperate fully with Riot Games if the issue escalated to league‑wide disciplinary action. Riot’s own community page, which the Dexerto article links to, also noted that they would monitor the situation closely. Riot has a precedent of suspending or banning players who violate community guidelines, and the organization’s recent handling of the “Pax Gaming” controversy illustrates the seriousness with which they view such matters.

Bwipo’s Response

In a follow‑up tweet, Bwipo issued an apology for the “insensitive language” he used. He stated that he was “unaware of the impact of my words” and expressed regret for “hurtful remarks.” However, the apology was criticized by many as too late and insufficient, especially because the initial statement was framed as a direct instruction rather than a personal opinion.

The same tweet included a link to a short video posted on YouTube where Bwipo explained that he was “misunderstood” and that he “intended to be humorous.” Critics pointed out that the video lacked a clear explanation of the health facts behind menstruation and that it still perpetuated a harmful stereotype.

Broader Implications and Context

The controversy is not an isolated incident. The LoL community has seen multiple high‑profile controversies in the last year, ranging from sexual harassment allegations against the former Korean champion Jung “GimZ” Jin‑sung to the “Pax Gaming” scandal, where a major tournament organizer was accused of gender‑based discrimination. Each of these incidents has brought the esports industry’s commitment to inclusivity and respectful conduct under scrutiny.

From a regulatory perspective, Riot Games’ code of conduct—accessible via the link in the Dexerto article—makes it clear that any language that “harasses or discriminates against a participant or staff member based on gender, race, or any other protected characteristic” is strictly prohibited. Riot has also increased its partnership with organizations such as Gamergate and Women in Games to promote diversity and address harassment. The Bwipo incident served as a stark reminder that players can still be found guilty of violating these policies, even if the content is shared outside official game channels.

Current Status

As of the latest update from the Dexerto article, the investigation is still ongoing. TGC Gaming has not yet released a final verdict, but it is clear that the organization is preparing for the possibility of termination or a negotiated settlement. Riot Games has not yet issued a suspension, but the league’s disciplinary committee will likely review the case if TGC Gaming submits the findings.

In the meantime, the esports community has taken this as a call to action. Forums across Reddit, Discord, and Twitter have launched new discussions on how to support female players and ensure that all community members feel safe and respected. Some community leaders have called for clearer guidelines on “public conduct” for professional players, arguing that a tweet can be as damaging as in‑game behavior.

Final Takeaway

Bwipo’s tweet about women avoiding competition during periods was a small statement that magnified the larger conversation about gender, respect, and professionalism in esports. The backlash not only highlighted the power of social media but also reinforced that esports organizations and governing bodies must maintain a zero‑tolerance stance toward sexist or discriminatory remarks.

Whether or not Bwipo will face permanent sanctions remains to be seen, but the incident has undoubtedly added a new chapter to the growing body of work aimed at fostering an inclusive, respectful culture in competitive gaming. For the global League of Legends community, the message is clear: the words spoken by its professional players—on and off the screen—carry real consequences, and everyone has a responsibility to uphold a safe, welcoming environment.