Just two weeks ago, kl1m joined MIBR on loan from G2 Ares. He became part of the new international roster, which also includes Kazakh rifler Qikert. Despite his young age, the Russian has been showing solid numbers: a 1.19 rating, 83.6 ADR, and a stable AWP role. His transfer was seen as an important step to strengthen MIBR ahead of upcoming tournaments.
MIBR IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON KL1M FOR RACIST INCIDENT
On the night of September 8, during a ranked FACEIT match in South America, an incident shook the CS2 scene. MIBR’s newcomer, 19-year-old Russian AWPer Klimentii “kl1m” Krivosheev, called his opponent a “monkey” in a heated exchange. The word carries a strong racist connotation in Brazil and Latin America, and the situation immediately sparked a wave of criticism.
In their official statement, MIBR said they “firmly repudiate any form of prejudice — racism, xenophobia, or discrimination of any kind.” The club emphasized that the player’s remark “is unacceptable and does not reflect the organization’s values.”
MIBR confirmed that kl1m would face internal disciplinary measures and undergo a racial and cultural literacy program focused on Brazil’s history and social challenges. The club also stressed that any repetition “will not be tolerated.”
THE FACEIT INCIDENT: A WORD WITH DIFFERENT MEANINGS
During the FACEIT match kl1m directed the offensive word “monkey” at a Chilean player. Krivosheev explained that in his culture this term is often used as a general insult, similar to “fool.” However, in Brazil it has a completely different undertone — racist, with a painful historical and social context.
FANS DEBATE: RACISM OR MISUNDERSTANDING?
The CS2 community erupted with discussions around the incident. Some fans argued that the punishment was too harsh for a 19-year-old who had just joined the Brazilian scene. User RickNRoll wrote:
He’s been in Brazil for only a few days, how could he possibly know all the cultural nuances right away?
Others stressed that such words carry an extremely racist meaning in South America. For example, dogsrules commented:
There is no room for ambiguity. It’s outright offensive and will always be perceived that way.
There were also those who criticized the organization for being “too soft.” User theDucks bluntly stated:
A more serious organization would have terminated the contract immediately.
Meanwhile, others, like RevvivaL, defended the player:
In the US or Europe, the word ‘monkey’ often just means ‘stupid’ or ‘bad player.’ I don’t think he meant anything racist.
It’s clear the community was divided: some called for harsher sanctions, others saw it as just a cultural misunderstanding. But almost everyone agreed on one point — this incident has become a major scandal and could seriously impact kl1m’s future career.
OFFICIAL POSITION OF THE BRAZILIAN ORGANIZATION
The organization quickly reacted with an official statement on its social networks:
We firmly condemn any form of prejudice — racism, xenophobia, or discrimination. The language used is unacceptable and does not represent our organization’s values.
MIBR announced that kl1m would:
- face internal disciplinary sanctions,
- be immediately enrolled in a racial and cultural literacy program,
- receive a clear warning that repeated incidents will not be tolerated.
THE PLAYER’S APOLOGY AND EXPLANATION
Kl1m himself apologized on his Twitter:
In my culture, this word is often used as an insult like ‘fool.’ I had no racist intent. But I understand that in Brazil it has a completely different meaning. I apologize to everyone I offended and commit myself to learning about the country’s history and culture.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR HIS CAREER?
The incident raises questions about the Russian’s adaptation within MIBR. He had just started playing for the team (on loan from G2 Ares), and was scheduled to appear in an ESL Challenger League match against Keyd Stars the very next day. The scandal could affect both his mental state and his image among fans.
For MIBR, this is also a test: the club aims to build an international brand but now must balance reputational risks with the chance of giving a young player a second opportunity.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR MIBR AND KL1M
The kl1m story is an example of a cultural conflict where one word can have different meanings depending on the region, but in this context, it became a serious violation. MIBR showed that they are ready to react strongly to such cases, yet chose not to part ways with the player.
For kl1m himself, this is a lesson early in his career: words in professional sports weigh no less than shots on the server. And now all eyes are on him — can he prove that one mistake will not define his path forward?
