G2 respond to LEC sponsor backlash claiming they will not accept NEOM "genocide" money

The LEC’s recently announced sponsorship deal with controversial megacity project NEOM has sent the entire broadcast team into revolt on Twitter, with voices of support coming in globally from the LCS talent to the LPL.

While the on-air team was swift in its condemnation, the LEC’s teams remained markedly silent on the issue - to the extent that analysts within the scene began to question whether they were complicit with the deal. They are set to earn a share of sponsorship profits via franchising rules, after all. G2’s Carlos responded swiftly to the allegations:

The tweets reveal a number of things, 1). That while they were informed of the deal, they had no powers to veto or otherwise sink the deal, and 2). They are not best pleased with the situation. In Carlos' own words, “For the avoidance of doubt, neither G2 nor myself will be taking money "earned" from genocide and ethnic cleansing. Ever. G2 and myself stand against violations of basic human rights and any leadership that promotes such.”

Carlos “ocelote” Rodríguez Santiago claims that they will accept no money from the NEOM sponsorship deal. (Picture: G2)

At the very least, this implies G2 will be refusing any income earned by the NEOM deal, and an earlier tag of Fnatic by Carlos suggests they may also be in a similar position, but they have yet to say anything publicly.

• Read More: The recent NEOM sponsorships are a travesty - there can be no place for human rights abuse in esports

At the end of his tweet, Carlos asks for patience - to what end, we don’t know. Whatever statement and actions come next will be watched carefully, especially after such an unequivocal public statement.