Astralis captain HooXi quits social media after threats

Rasmus HooXi Nielsen (HooXi), Astralis’s in-game leader and rifler, announced a temporary break from social media after receiving death threats and severe online abuse following Astralis’s elimination from the IEM Cologne Major 2026.

Astralis finished Stage 2 with a 1-3 record. The team beat GamerLegion but lost to 9z, TYLOO and paiN Gaming, which ended their run at the Major.

The harassment intensified after the losses. The player reported personal insults, inappropriate direct messages and death threats and cited those messages as the reason for his temporary withdrawal from social platforms.

Astralis released a statement condemning the abuse and expressing support for the captain. Owner Jonas Gundersen described the behaviour as “unacceptable” and called it something the organisation would “never understand.” He urged stricter rules on social platforms and better legal options, adding that professional players are “humans trying their best” and asking fans to stop the “insanity.”

The organisation did not specify how long HooXi will remain offline and has not announced any immediate legal action related to the threats.

Online harassment of esports players after poor results has continued in recent years. In 2023, League of Legends star Lee Sang-hyeok (Faker) faced death threats that prompted a police investigation and later legal action. Some organisations have responded by creating legal teams to address online attacks and false information aimed at players, staff and families.

The IEM Cologne Major 2026 ran in Cologne alongside Global Esports Industry Week, held June 18–21.