Team Secret Dota 2 player Rolen Andrei Gabriel "Skemberlu" Ong and TNC Predator's Carlo "Kuku" Palad have reportedly been banned from competing in the upcoming Dota Pro Circuit Chongqing Major by the municipal government of the Chinese city.
The Chongqing Major will take place in January, with qualifying beginning Sunday. Valve has yet to officially comment on the numerous reports, which indicate the bans could be extended through The International 19 scheduled to take place in Shanghai.
Team Secret Director Matthew Bailey tweeted on Saturday that each player's organization was asked to remove the players from their rosters.
Skemberlu was reprimanded by compLexity Gaming and was to receive "a maximum fine" after using a derogatory term during a match against the Chinese team Royal Never Give Up in DreamLeague Season 10. He was subsequently moved off comLexity's active roster earlier this month, with the organization saying it was attempting to "help find him a new home."
Kuku, an offlane player for TNC Predators, used the same slur during a pub game. LGD Gaming refused to scrim with TNC, and after some initial denial, Kuku eventually apologized, although there was backlash from the Chinese community about how the apology was distributed.
The team later announced Kuku would receive the "maximum penalty."
Dota caster and analyst Jack "KBBQ" Chen tweeted that the event's organizer, StarLadder, was contacted by the Chinese municipal government.
it's not a rumor, the municipal government met to discuss after outrage and anger grew over what people in China felt was an inadequate or delayed response and reportedly came to the organizer saying: "this event cannot have these two players"
— Jack Chen (@KBBQDotA) November 24, 2018
-- Field Level Media