Former Overwatch League pro and Twitch streamer Daniel ‘Dafran’ Francesca is facing backlash for his comments regarding sexual abuse allegations against his former teammate Jay ‘Sinatraa’ Won.
On March 9, ex-girlfriend of Sinatraa, Cleo ‘cle0h’ Hernandez, accused the Sentinels Valorant star of abuse in a document that contained screenshots and even an audio recording.
Dafran posted a tweet in defense of the 2019 Overwatch League MVP. This defense came before both Sentinels and Riot Games each decided to suspend Sinatraa while conducting their own internal investigations.
“We have to wait for Sinatraa’s side of the story,” Francesca wrote. “E-girls can be f***ing scary as a Twitch streamer. They will try to jebait or photoshop evidence and then f*** you. I’m not saying she is one, but she could be. People have been waiting for something to cancel Sinatraa over.”
https://twitter.com/dafran/status/1369563442319925251
Dafran, who was a former teammate of Sinatraa’s in the pre-OWL Selfless Gaming days, later suggested that an audio recording provided by the supposed victim could be taken out of context.
“I have choked and slapped women in bed because that’s what they like and maybe I like it a little too, who knows. Imagine if that is taken out of context,” he replied.
Okay? I have choked and slapped woman in bed because thats what they like and maybe I like it a little too, who knows. Imagine if that is taken out of context
— Dafran (@dafran) March 10, 2021
Several high-profile streamers and esports figures called out Dafran for his remarks, including former Washington Justice General Manager Analynn ‘bawlynn’ Dang.
“This is not it and the lack of empathy is horrifying,” Dang commented. “Please consider the message you are sending out to people by letting them know you think it’s okay to not believe women and to just group them as egirls.”
This is not it and the lack of empathy is horrifying. Please consider the message you are sending out to people by letting them know you think it’s okay to not believe women and to just group them as egirls.
— Analynn Dang (@bawlynn) March 10, 2021
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World of Warcraft streamer Asmongold also chimed in, saying that while Dafran’s perspective was “noble” it was “stated boorishly.”
“It’s disappointing to see so many people use it as an opportunity to shit on Dafran for bad wording rather than supporting the victim,” he added.
A noble perspective although stated boorishly
It’s disappointing to see so many people use it as an opportunity to shit on Dafran for bad wording rather than supporting the victim
That being said, evidence looks really damming especially with audio leaks as well
— Zack (@Asmongold) March 10, 2021
Things got especially heated when QuarterJade and former Overwatch pro Anthony ‘Harbleu’ Ballo got involved.
QuarterJade’s response of “literally shut the f*** up” was met with a “f*** you” by Francesca, while Harbleu accused Dafran of being immature.
“This is the type of dumbass take I’d expect from a 17-18 year old,” the Luminosity streamer blasted. “Keep acting like a 15-year-old the rest of your life, I’m sure it will keep working out for you. Maybe try farming again? Or was that too much work for you.”
Glad to see you haven't changed one bit. Never liked you in OW and glad you've left for valorant. Keep acting like a 15 year old the rest of your life, I'm sure it will keep working out for you. Maybe try farming again? Or was that too much work for you.
— Anthony Ballo (@harbleuOW) March 10, 2021
Dafran accused Ballo of being “passive-aggressive.”
Sinatraa finally broke his silence a day after the allegations first surfaced. In a brief TwitLonger, he denied accusations of abuse, claiming that he “never assaulted her in any way.”
