By Canadian Press

Whitecaps fire esports gamer for ‘inappropriate and unprofessional’ comments

Jul 13, 2021 | 12:47 PM

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps have fired esports gamer Agit (AgitPower) Katilmis, citing “inappropriate and unprofessional comments” during a recent online game.

The Whitecaps, who announced the signing of Katilmis’ on June 14, said his eMLS contract had been terminated “effective immediately.”

“The seriousness of the matter cannot be overstated and the club strongly condemns these comments,” the team said in a statement. It did not detail the comments.

The move comes just three weeks after Katilmis finished runner-up to D.C. United’s Mohamed (KingCJ0) Alioune Diop in the EA Sports FIFA 21 Global Series North American Playoffs for PlayStation.

Both players had already qualified for the FIFAe World Cup, scheduled for Aug. 6-8 in London. Katilmis, from Laval, Que., collected $20,000 as runner-up in the North American tournament.

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Katilmis, the top-ranked Canadian and fourth-ranked PlayStation player in North America, was one of three esports players for the Whitecaps, along with Alex (Exraa) Gonzalez and Erfan (Skill Shack) Hosseini. 

Along with Inter Miami midfielder Jay Chapman, Katilmis represented Canada in the inaugural FIFA eNations #StayAndPlay Cup hosted by EA Sports.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2021.

The Canadian Press