DesimpaiN keeps playing as paiN faces abuse allegations

DesimpaiN, a seven-a-side Kings League team formed by paiN Gaming and Desimpedidos in late 2025, continued to compete while paiN Gaming responded to sexual‑abuse allegations and leadership changes in March 2026. The joint team has remained active as the parent organisation faces internal scrutiny and fan backlash.

The DesimpaiN partnership combined paiN’s esports audience with Desimpedidos’ football viewership for the Brazilian edition of the Kings League, a celebrity-driven, gamified competition. The arrangement aimed to reach broader audiences by bringing esports fans into a football-format event and football fans into esports-branded content.

In March 2026, allegations emerged that paiN’s leadership had known about the severity of abuse claims involving player Alexandre ‘TitaN’ Lima and had sought to limit exposure. Following those reports, CEO Thomas Hamence resigned. The club acknowledged a ‘stain’ on its history and described the situation as a ‘catastrophic moral error.’ Several organised supporter groups severed ties with paiN and public calls for additional leadership changes, including demands directed at chief marketing officer Sharis Endres, continued on social platforms.

On the competitive side, paiN’s League of Legends roster recorded one of the weakest splits in CBLOL history, with the team winning a single match during the period. Counter-Strike 2 results did not offset the decline. DesimpaiN, by contrast, maintained its Kings League schedule, secured early qualification to the Kings World Cup and posted wins against teams such as LOUD and FURIA.

NWB chief executive André Barros contacted paiN owner Arthur ‘PAADA’ Curiati after the allegations surfaced to understand what measures were being taken. Barros noted the company’s responsibility to its audience and said NWB opted not to suspend the joint team while it assessed alignment with the company’s values.

PaiN’s head of innovation, Giulia ‘Caju’ Capitani, described DesimpaiN as a ‘refuge’ for supporters during the crisis, saying the Kings League offered a space where fans could watch and cheer without the anger tied to the allegations. Daniel Sewell, DesimpaiN’s content and project manager at NWB, reported that many volunteers and fan groups told organisers they intended to remain loyal to paiN despite the allegations. Sewell also described efforts to transfer organised football‑style support into the Kings League, including arranging flags, flares and coordinated celebrations.

Commercial activity around DesimpaiN continued while the parent club dealt with the scandal. The team secured a sponsorship with sports retailer Centauro and engaged in discussions with other potential partners. Barros described the venture as ‘an intellectual property in itself’ with growth potential in the Kings League context.

DesimpaiN has provided paiN with a presence in a different competitive space and access to a football-oriented audience while the organisation addresses internal issues. Fan anger and demands for governance changes remain visible on social media and among organised supporters. DesimpaiN has maintained brand visibility and competitive activity, but the parent club continues to face questions about accountability and leadership reform.