Media: Gaimin Gladiators set to field fer for IEM Cologne Major after suddenly terminating felps' contract

According to a report by Vitoria Von Bentzeen of our sister site Dust2 Brasil, Gaimin Gladiators are set to field former MIBR and Imperial player Fernando "fer" Alvarenga for the upcoming IEM Cologne Major in place of João "felps" Vasconcellos, with the organization confirming today they have terminated felps's contract effective immediately.

The shocking and seemingly sudden termination of felps' contract comes as Gaimin Gladiators are set to attend their first Major in the Canadian organization's history.

The removal of felps ahead of the IEM Cologne Major has been met with an overwhelmingly negative response in the Brazilian scene, with many decrying the firing after felps reportedly waived four months of his salary in order to help Gaimin Gladiators finance the hiring of Henrique "HEN1" Teles and Luca "Luken" Nadotti. Matters haven't been helped by a conspicuously vague statement from the organization about felps' removal along with an apparent gag order being handed down to the team.

Gaimin Gladiators' head coach João "horvy" Horvath saying "not everything can be discussed at the moment" while felps stated he cannot speak on the matter due to his contract in a reply to a fan.

Beyond the controversy with felps' removal, the organization's reported decision to field fer for the IEM Cologne Major has already raised some eyebrows as he hasn't played an official in more than two years, while his last team was Imperial all the way back in January 2023 in CS:GO.

As such, the fielding of an effectively retired player will likely complicate the organization's efforts to find success at their Major debut.