Swedish police were rushed to the Counter-Strike tournament at Dreamhack over the weekend after an alleged assault broke out backstage between DOTA 2 player Jonathan 'Loda' Berg and E-sports journalist/commentator Richard Lewis. DreamHack issued a statement saying the following:
"During the afternoon today at DreamHack Winter 2015 there was an incident at the CS:GO backstage area, where Loda and Richard Lewis were involved in verbal dispute that escalated into a physical confrontation. The situation was witnessed by DreamHack staff, who intervened and pulled both parties apart when the confrontation began. After cooling down the situation, DreamHack Security Crew was called to the site, and took official statements of the involved the parties. DreamHack also notified Police that came to the location to take statements from both parties and witnesses."
The fighting pair took to Twitter to voice their opinions about what went on.
Richard Lewis:
"Why an event organiser wouldn't stand by someone they hired after someone attempts to attack them at their event is beyond me."
"Sadly the way dreamhack handled things and what they asked of me makes it difficult to want to do an event for them again moving forward."
"I now realise that the correct response to someone putting their head in your face, while security watch, is to let them hit you."
Jonathan Berg:
"So I go and talk to @RLewisReports and he physically assaults me... He strangles me until admins pulled him away. Police inc!"
"For those wondering I'm ok! :) just a bit sad that someone so directly involved in e-sports would sink to this level."
DreamHack has reiterated their commitment to security and safety and say they are mediating between Loda and Lewis.
"It is of the utmost importance for DreamHack to operate an event in which all visitors, staff, exhibitors, and competitors can feel safe," DreamHack said in their release.
"All parties, DreamHack, Richard Lewis and Loda deeply regret that an environment existed in which this situation occurred, and that the confrontation escalated as it did."
"All parties have jointly talked with DreamHack Security Crew, as well as police and believe the best actions are to put aside our differences and come together to move forward with the conclusion of DreamHack Winter 2015."
The fight allegedly broke out as a result of Richard Lewis posting a picture on his Twitter jokingly referring to having spent the night with someone who'd left their sign (supporting one of the players) in his bed. The sign was apparently held by Loda's girlfriend.
Dreamhack Winter was held in Jönköping, Sweden between November 26-29.