IEM Cologne produced jaw-dropping performances, major upsets, and streaks ending at the Cathedral of Counter-Strike, but the legacy of this year’s event has been marred by a pair of in-stadium incidents that shocked viewers around the world.
During a pre-playoffs stage segment featuring the trophy, a spectator shouted a racist slur that was clearly picked up by broadcast microphones. The clip, shared by Richard Lewis on X, has since gone viral on social media and shows a spectator yelling the slur live during one of the most-watched Counter-Strike moments of the year. Watch the clip below – please note it includes offensive language.
ESL responds with strong condemnation
Now, ESL FACEIT Group has responded with a written statement provided to Pley.gg via email:
“In our arenas and on our stages, ESL FACEIT Group has no tolerance for hate speech or toxicity of any kind. We are outraged by the language by one of the spectators that could be heard during our IEM Cologne broadcast. It’s our top priority to ensure our communities – both online and in-person – are a safe and welcoming space for all.”
The statement made ESL’s stance clear, but it also raised questions about how such an incident was allowed to happen in the first place. Unfortunately, the racist outburst was not an isolated case.
Earlier in the event, crowd mics also picked up a segment of “Heil Hitler” by Kanye West, a banned song under German law. While the track wasn’t played by ESL, it was clearly audible to viewers, prompting immediate backlash and causing ESL to move the crowd mics into the roof of the arena.
While ESL’s public condemnation is welcomed, the focus now shifts to what action will follow. For an event that delivered inside the server, it’s what happened outside of it that now threatens to define IEM Cologne 2025.
