Chopper, the in-game leader for Team Spirit, has stirred controversy at the Esports World Cup in CS2 by questioning the authenticity of the enthusiastic support for Team Falcons, suggesting that it might be more contrived than genuine.
The seasoned Russian Counter-Strike player expressed his thoughts candidly on his Instagram, implying that the vibrant atmosphere surrounding the Saudi-supported Falcons could be artificially created.
«In essence, this is the EWC, where the arena is filled with around 300 hired individuals chanting ‘Falcons, Falcons’. You know, typical Falcons fans,» chopper stated (translated).
Later, the 28-year-old sharpshooter mentioned being asked to remove a video he posted, as it was «upsetting someone.»
Falcons have emerged as one of the most talked-about teams of the tournament, attributed to substantial investment and a roster comprising stars like NiKo and m0NESY. Their games at EWC 2025 have captivated large audiences, yet chopper’s remarks have ignited a debate over whether the fervent support is a true expression of fandom or simply orchestrated.
The community quickly responded, with some fans supporting chopper’s viewpoint, recalling awkward instances when the crowd appeared disconnected from the gameplay. «It was clear when Spirit’s Dota 2 team clinched EWC. You could tell it was a staged crowd, as they didn’t seem to grasp the game; they cheered for anything regardless of whether it favored Falcons or not,» one Reddit user shared.
Another Redditor drew a parallel to an Overwatch tournament: «During the Overwatch finals, Falcons, comprising an entirely Korean squad, faced Al Qadsiah, a Saudi organization mostly consisting of local players. The crowd overwhelmingly supported Falcons against their compatriots, which felt strange. Team loyalty might be a bigger deal in local culture, but it still seemed inauthentic.»
However, opinions were divided. Some defended the Falcons, arguing that it was to be expected for a home team to receive boisterous backing in a tournament held in their own country. «Since it’s their home country’s team, it’s only natural the crowd would be chanting their name,» countered one fan. A few criticized chopper for making disparaging remarks about the event he himself is participating in.
Team Falcons did not seem particularly affected by chopper’s comments; instead, they responded with humor, sharing an edited image featuring the Spirit captain amidst a throng of Falcons enthusiasts.
The ongoing dialogue and playful banter have brought renewed attention to the EWC and its mission to showcase a premier global esports event. The discussion surrounding the authenticity of fandom has introduced an extra layer of drama on and off the server.
As for chopper, he will not encounter the «hired» Falcons supporters anymore, as Team Spirit unexpectedly exited the tournament following a challenging defeat to HEROIC, who managed a 2-1 comeback in the single-elimination bracket’s opening round. Meanwhile, Falcons are looking to harness the crowd’s energy (whether authentic or not) as they prepare to take on G2, the former team of NiKo and m0NESY.
