fEAR was serious about defending his national identity. In an interview on the leniniw channel, he said he was so angry during the match against HOTU that four people had to hold him back.
This story is interesting because it shows how personal emotions can become in esports. Players often argue on the server and shake hands afterward. This time, however, the tension nearly went beyond the game.
Trash Talk That Sparked the Tension
The conflict began with trash talk during fnatic’s match against HOTU. Some HOTU players reportedly asked, in Russian, why their opponents were speaking Russian. As a result, the phrase quickly drew attention from fans and players.
fEAR Explains Why He Nearly Lost Control
fEAR shared his version of events in the interview. “I was burning with anger, and four people were holding me,” he said. “If they had really said those racist words, a punch would have been thrown for sure. But it is a thin line.”
He also described how the team answered on the server. “The best thing we did was win and send two teams to disband: K27 and HOTU. Let them rest,” fEAR said.
In addition, he said he wanted to defend Ukraine physically, but his organization would not have approved. “I do not understand this in esports,” he said. “First, players shout at each other, and then they bump fists and smile. Several times I wanted to fight someone, but you get fined for that. Against HOTU, I was so angry that four people had to hold me back.”
“a moment of silence for HOTU” https://t.co/waDQIj6Kny
— FNATIC CS (@FNATICCS2) October 14, 2026
Another Dispute Over the Veto
Meanwhile, fEAR mentioned another incident from the same interview. According to him, HUNDEN or someone from the Sashi team was rude to them about the veto. Afterward, the “region bug users” lost 0:2 without any chances.
s1mple Tells HOTU to Be Funnier
The words of HOTU’s players did not go unnoticed. s1mple commented on them and advised HOTU to choose funnier phrases.
He laughed at the question about speaking Russian. He also said HOTU talked big and then flew home. Finally, he suggested that the players should come up with more entertaining trash talk.
fnatic Win the Series 2:0
The series ended with a 2:0 win for fnatic. Therefore, the result on the server answered the verbal fight. According to fEAR, that win mattered more than any fight, because it sent both K27 and HOTU to disband.
