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There’s a World Cup going on. It’s generated a fair bit of controversy, and thousands of French fans are planning to watch the contest.<\/b><\/p>\n
But it’s not the one you’re (probably) thinking of.<\/p>\n
The Esports World Cup, or EWC, gets under way in Paris this week, after a last-minute move from its usual home of Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
Organisers took the decision to relocate<\/a> the massive tournament to the French capital due to safety concerns over the ongoing conflict between the USA and Iran in the Middle East.<\/p>\n They say finding a suitable venue and installing all the equipment required to broadcast the contest, watched by millions worldwide, in just two months has been a huge undertaking.<\/p>\n For many fans, it’s made it possible for them to attend a previously inaccessible event.<\/p>\n But it’s also raised questions over the future of the EWC, which has been criticised since it was launched over its links with Saudi Arabia. <\/p>\n The tournament is run by the Esports Foundation, which describes itself as a non-profit organisation. It was created with the support of the Saudi government, and the EWC launched with an announcement from Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.<\/p>\n It has been a part of the Kingdom’s push to become a major player in global gaming – a strategy described by some as “sportswashing”<\/a>.<\/p>\n Critics claim it’s an attempt to improve the country’s international reputation and distract from complaints about its human rights record and anti-LGBT laws.<\/p>\n It’s an accusation the country has spent years denying.<\/p>\n Though some players, commentators and fans have boycotted the EWC because of Saudi Arabia’s involvement, it still proves popular.<\/p>\n