After Astralis’ victory over BetBoom in the semifinals of FISSURE Playground 1, team in-game leader Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen shared a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), revealing that his team had attempted to reach a gentleman’s agreement with their opponents regarding the use of headwear on stage.
Dispute over headwear and post-match disrespect
According to HooXi, Astralis suggested a mutual agreement before the match — that no players wear any headgear during the game. This was prompted by BetBoom’s AWPer Artem “ArtFr0st” Kharitonov wearing a cap on stage. However, the Russian team declined the proposal.
2-0 vs @BetBoomTeam. We tried to make a gentlemen's agreement before the game, they declined. Then some of their player(s) didn't want to give handshakes to some of our player(s). I guess that's karma.
CU in the grand final tomorrow👍
— Rasmus🐢Pallisgaard🐢Nielsen (@HooXiCSGO) July 19, 2025
The issue arises from the fact that headwear is banned at most LAN tournaments, as it can interfere with the proper positioning of noise-canceling headsets. As a result, players may be able to hear commentators or audience reactions, which provides an unfair advantage and violates the principles of fair play.
HooXi also mentioned that some BetBoom players refused to shake hands with the Astralis players after the match — although he did not specify who. This act of disrespect further fueled discussion and controversy within the esports community.
Community reaction
The post from HooXi quickly sparked conversation online. One of the most notable responses came from Mnmzzz (Jeff), Editor-in-Chief of Dust2.us and admin at LiquipediaCS:
“That’s so weird. Like you said, it’s been a rule forever — since at least 2017.”
Another user highlighted the core of the concern:
“Ngl, got triggered a couple of times yesterday when they showed close-ups. You could literally see that the headphones weren’t even touching his ears in the back.”
User lei offered encouragement to Astralis:
“Don’t mind them (wearing a hat definitely makes your headphones looser and you can hear the crowd better). Tomorrow’s a big day for you. Go get that trophy home!”
Despite the situation, Astralis kept their composure and secured a 2-0 win. Up next is the grand final against TYLOO — a chance at revenge for their earlier group stage loss and an opportunity to lift their first LAN trophy in years.
Broader Implications
This incident highlights a broader discussion around consistent standards at LAN tournaments and the importance of enforcing rules that ensure fairness for all participants. While the use of headwear might seem minor at first glance, it can create real competitive disadvantages — especially in high-stakes environments where every small edge counts.
Regardless of the controversy, Astralis proved their professionalism and mental fortitude by focusing on the game and delivering a strong performance. With momentum on their side and a clear goal ahead, the Danes now turn their attention to the grand final against TYLOO — not just for the trophy, but also for a statement win that could mark the start of a new chapter in the team’s legacy.
