'Hearthstone' Tournament Ban On Women Overturned: e-Sports' 'Men Only' Rule Thrown Out After 'Legitimate Sport' Attempt, Blizzard And Finnish League Step In

While announcing rules for a new Finnish Hearthstone vide gaming tournament, the league organizing the competition basically banned women from participating. This was, in some odd way, an attempt to legitimize the World of Warcraft online card game into a real sport - which is a whole other discussion. Fortunately, the league and Blizzard, the developers of the games, have overturned this rule and the ban on women no longer exists.

When players and critics of this ban asked the Finnish league, IeSF, about this rule, a statement was released that pretty much said that it was an attempt to make Hearthstone and e-Sports in general recognized sports.

"The decision to divide male and female competitions was made in accordance with international sports authorities, as part of our effort to promote e-Sports as a legitimate sports," the league explained.

You can read more of an explanation from the Finnish league, IeSF, right HERE.

But before you start feeling outrage, the rule has been overturned and this tournament is open to women as well thanks the Blizzard and the Finland team.

The general manager of international relations at the IeSF, Alex Lim, released a detailed explanation and apology on behalf of the tournament, which coincided with the overturn of the rule.

"[I]n traditional sports there has been the physiological difference between genders that make it necessary to separate the genders in sports. However, it was hard to apply to eSports since there has not been any evidence that can be applied to eSports. Though some says there is no physiological factor which may affect the performance of men and women, there are others who believe that dynamic visual acuity and precise control may differ by the gender, which may affect the performance," he said. "It is the third year testing women promotion events, and we truly believe that has grown the women player pool in competitive events. IeSF hopes that both men and women will continue to enjoy and compete in eSports and eSports can be a unique sport that men and women can both compete at an equal level."

Read more HERE!