HLTV.org: BLAST gave up on partnership with NEOM after being criticised

Danish tournament organiser BLAST has ceased cooperation with NEOM, a $500 billion project of a futuristic metropolis in Saudi Arabia. This was reported by the authoritative portal HLTV.org with reference to sources familiar with the negotiations of the parties.

According to the published information, the decision was made at the BLAST meeting with the participants of the CS:GO franchise championship caused by mass criticism from the community. A representative of the tournament operator, which was contacted by journalists of the portal HLTV.org, declined to comment.

The partnership between BLAST and NEOM became known at the end of July. It involves helping the city under construction to develop e-Sports, as well as creating the largest academy for Arab players in the region.

Shortly after the announcement, this cooperation was criticized by BLAST staff, including Harry "JustHarry" Russell, Frankie "Frankie" Ward, Hugo "Hugo" Byron and Vince Hill, and partner teams. They said they would stop working with the company until ties with Saudi Arabia were severed.