FURIA released an
official statement on Sunday, August 2nd, apologizing to Chinese fans after a post shared on its official
Counter-Strike 2 social media account sparked significant backlash. The organization said it will begin a learning process about Chinese culture after posting an edited image of Gabriel "
FalleN" Toledo alongside Mao Zedong.
In their statement, FURIA acknowledged that the content was inappropriate and expressed regret over its impact on the Chinese community. According to the organization, the post "hurt the feelings" of Chinese fans and went against the respect the club has for the country's culture and history. FURIA also took full responsibility for the incident, describing it as a failure in their internal content review process.
Beyond the apology, the organization announced measures aimed at preventing similar situations in the future. Among them is a cultural education initiative that will be carried out with the support of Chinese residents living in Brazil. FURIA also said it will introduce a "cultural review" step before publishing future content on its social media channels.
How did the controversy begin?
The controversy began after the team shared a meme featuring an edited image of FalleN's face placed over a portrait of Mao Zedong. The post quickly received negative reactions from Chinese users and was deleted roughly an hour after it was published.
The post referenced a Brazilian internet meme in which virtually anyone's face is edited into a famous portrait of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The joke does not imply any resemblance or political association with Mao and is generally shared as random internet humor in Brazil.
However, many members of the Chinese community interpreted the image differently, as Mao Zedong remains a highly significant historical, political, and cultural figure in China.
In the statement, FURIA also highlighted the relationship it has built with Chinese fans over the years. The organization recalled its visits to the country for international tournaments and said it has fond memories of the warm reception it received from local supporters.
In 2025, for example, the team won IEM Chengdu by defeating Team Vitality 3-0 in the grand final. China is also set to host major Counter-Strike events later this year, including FISSURE Playground 3 and IEM Beijing.
Who was Mao Zedong?
Mao Zedong was the leader of the Chinese Communist Revolution and the founding leader of the People's Republic of China. He led China from 1949 until his death in 1976, becoming one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern Chinese history
