Russian player Klimentiy "kl1m" Krivosheev, who recently joined the Brazilian team MIBR, found himself in a serious scandal after calling an opponent on FACEIT a "monkey." The incident occurred just two weeks after officially signing with the South American organization and led to internal disciplinary actions against the player.

The situation is particularly sensitive as kl1m is the first European player to join MIBR since 2018, when the team included American players. His transfer from G2 Ares was seen as an important step in the internationalization of the Brazilian organization, but the racist remarks jeopardized both the player's and the team's reputation.

Racist Incident and Its Consequences

On September 8, 2025, during a match on the FACEIT platform, an incident occurred that dramatically changed the situation around kl1m. According to a screenshot published by one of the match participants, the Russian player wrote: "What do you want from me, monkey?" in response to criticism from a teammate.

MIBR's Official Reaction and Disciplinary Measures

On September 10, 2025, MIBR released an official statement categorically condemning kl1m's actions. The organization stated:

We are categorically against any prejudice, be it racism, xenophobia, or discrimination of any kind. Our goal is to create a safe, respectful, and diverse environment in esports.

MIBR

The statement emphasized the organization's understanding of cultural differences while clearly marking the unacceptability of such remarks:

While kl1m claims that the term may carry a different connotation in his culture, we acknowledge the destructive impact this word has in Brazil. There is no room for ambiguity when it comes to racism.

MIBR

MIBR announced a series of measures against kl1m. The player received internal disciplinary sanctions, the nature and duration of which were not publicly disclosed. A more significant element of the punishment was mandatory participation in a racial literacy and cultural education program focused on Brazil's history and social issues.

The incident with kl1m serves as a vivid example of how cultural differences can lead to serious conflicts in international esports. Although the Russian player may not have understood the full weight of his words in the Brazilian context, his case highlights the need for better preparation of players for performing in different cultural environments.