“Hands Off” Controversy: Esports Player Faces Severe Backlash
A serious incident recently erupted in the international Esports scene when Lucas “DiasLucasBr” Dias—a professional player from Team Liquid competing in Rainbow Six Siege—posted a GIF that insensitively referenced two atomic bombs dropped on Japan. This thoughtless action quickly led to severe repercussions, affecting not only the player but also having a direct impact on the entire Team Liquid organization.
Specifically, in a recent post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Dias used a GIF depicting mushroom clouds. Although the team later clarified that the image was meant to express Dias’s feelings, it was too late. In the latest developments, Dias has deleted the post and issued an apology to Honda—the primary sponsor of Team Liquid—who has since opted to withdraw their support. Honda has decided to terminate their sponsorship agreement citing “inappropriate behavior affecting brand image.”
For those unaware, this partnership has lasted many years and was worth millions of dollars (in the hundreds of thousands range). It can be said that this loss is a “significant blow” with far-reaching consequences.
As many may know, the atomic bombings in Japan are among the darkest events in modern history and remain a painful memory for the Japanese people and anyone advocating for peace worldwide to this day. The controversy surrounding the post has reignited discussions about sensitive topics, especially in the context of international relations.
Esports Player and Team Face a Gloomy Future
The loss of Honda—a major sponsor—does not only signify a financial blow to Team Liquid’s Rainbow Six Siege division but also poses challenges for the entire organization. Some sources indicate that the team may need to make personnel changes and face difficulties in securing new sponsorships. In the fiercely competitive landscape of Esports, such setbacks can seriously impact performance and long-term planning for the organization.
Despite having been suspended for four months and being required to re-educate himself on rules of conduct, it seems certain that the damage caused by his actions will have lasting effects on both his career and the team’s reputation. For players, especially those representing major organizations, personal conduct is no longer a private matter—one poorly timed social media post can lead to disastrous professional consequences.
