Player published GIF with image of an atomic bomb after defeat to Japanese; He apologized
Honda ended a 6 -year sponsorship with the eSports Team Liquid team after a post by a Brazilian player on social networks. The Japanese automaker considered the publication offensive.
Founder and Taim Liquid’s founder, Victor Goossens issued a formal apology in X (former Twitter) on Monday (19.MAI.2025). The Brazilian player also apologized publicly.
On Wednesday (14.MAI), Brazilian Lucas Dias, known in the middle of Esports as “Diastuasbr”, shared a GIF interpreted as a reference to Japan’s atomic bombing in World War II.
The publication came after the defeat of Team Liquid to Cag Osaka in the game “Rainbow Six Siege”during the R6 reload tournament in Rio de Janeiro. The post caused negative reactions from fans.
The player deleted the content and published an apology on Thursday (15.mai). “From the bottom of my heart, it was never my intention to make any offensive reference, but I recognize that the context and choice were inappropriate”wrote Diamonds.
Hey guys. I would like to sincerely apologize for the post I made after our last defeat. I made a big mistake by using that gif and I understand that it caused discomfort to many people. From the bottom of my heart it was not my intention to make any reference…
– Liquid Dias (@dialucasr6)
Team Liquid has announced disciplinary measures against Lucas. The Brazilian received a fine equivalent to 4 months of his salary. The team will donate the awards obtained in reload, which total US $ 12,000, along with the amount of the fine, for charities.
Team Liquid Statement on Recent Social Media Post by DiasLucasBr
After a game against the Japanese Rainbow Six team CAG Osaka, one of our Rainbow Six players, Lucas “DiasLucasBr” Dias, made a social media post that featured offensive and insensitive content. Lucas made a…
– Team Liquid (@Teamliquid)
The organization will also implement a media training program and cultural sensitivity for all team players and coaches in the next 6 months. This specific case will be used as a study during sessions.
“Lucas made a unfortunate decision in the heat of the moment, after a difficult defeat”said Team Liquid in his statement. “He sought an explosion gif using generic keywords to express how his team ‘exploded’ during the defeat and, when choosing one that corresponded to the intensity of his emotions, did not realize how the image connected to a painful moment in the history of Japan. We believe there was no malicious intent, only a very serious lapse of judgment and conscience.”
Team Liquid did not disclose the exact amount of the fine imposed on the Brazilian player or specified which institutions will receive the promised donations.
Despite the financial consequences for the team, including the loss of Honda’s sponsorship, the organization decided to keep diaslucas in its cast. Goossens defended the player, stating that the team believes in liability, but also considers justice and context.
