Normally the world of Smash produces some light-hearted rivalries that only ever spill over into the occasional barbed tweet or unsubtle Facebook post, but today on Twitter things got a bit real for a moment. Possibly in an attempt to increase exposure in the wake of signing for VS Gaming, or maybe because he really backs his own skill versus Fox, Bronson Eugene ‘DaShizWiz’ Layton tweeted at William ‘Leffen’ Hjelte offering him a money match, but the Swede quickly declined, and for slightly controversial reasons.

With a history of arrests to his name, the last for domestic abuse, Shiz has been a slightly divisive figure in the scene for a while, although oddly nowhere near as much as Leffen himself given the relative seriousness of the allegations against the two. A post on r/smashbros last year detailing Shiz's latest arrest was somewhat shouted down by a mod team supportive of the old-school Falco main, and Leffen is the first high-profile player to publicly refer to these allegations since, making this interaction more interesting as the community struggles to find its way in the new world where 'Smash is eSports'.

The refusal led to some extreme reactions, from people like FGC commentator Dogysamich calling Leffen racist to others who were grateful that a player had finally spoken out about the behaviour of Shiz, who was also alleged to have threatened the partner of an active player last year as well. In terms of the bigger picture, it will be interesting to see what, if anything comes of this, but with the community addressing the issue of equality in the light of Alex Strife’s past with women it may be that inviting a Smasher with Shiz’s history will seem less appealing for the average TO.

It is important to stress that Shiz was not convicted for domestic abuse, and continues to deny the allegations, pointing out that charges were dropped against him. Whether further allegations within the community surface as other players gain attention and possibly the courage to speak out, as we saw with Alex Strife remains to be seen, and Shiz's innocence in the eyes of the law cannot be ignored, but regardless it is Leffen's prerogative to take or refuse any matches he is offered.