It was only a matter of time until a fan highlight message on the LEC broadcast would say something silly.
And that seems to have happened during LEC’s Sunday games on April 12th, in a matchup featuring Team Heretics and Karmine Corp. If you’re not aware, the broadcast highlights messages from the LEC channel and its co-streamers to show what fans are saying about the game.
And during one of these times, one message popped up saying “NETENKYEAHOO.” For those unaware once more, that’s a play on words between the Israeli Prime Minister and KC’s midlaner, Kyeahoo.
I’ll give the user credit, it’s a decent play on words in an internet age where silliness and memes are the meta. But there’s taste. Which is why I’m rather surprised that message got highlighted on the broadcast anyway.
An inappropriate chat message was shown in error during today’s LEC broadcast. This message should not have aired. We want to apologize to Karmine Corp, Kyeahoo, and to fans for this mistake. We’ve taken the appropriate steps to ensure this won’t happen again.
— LEC (@LEC) April 12, 2026
The response from the LEC
Anyway, it got to the point where that message popped up while Medic was on cast and had to acknowledge it.
But in the post-game drama, Medic said he does not support that message popping up. Dagda also commented, saying casters have no say on what appears in those featured comments sections. Anyway, the drama unfolded, and the LEC itself released a statement about it.
To be clear, as the casters we have nothing to do with the messages that are pulled from chat and in no way does those shown today represent my views
— Rob Price (@DagdaCasts) April 12, 2026
Given the political climate right now, a Netanyahu joke is certainly a choice to make for a tournament that averages 150k viewers a match across EMEA. It is indeed a choice to make.
Given that Israel is tied up in several conflicts on several fronts with Gaza and Palestine, Lebanon and Iranian forces, and of course, Iran itself, Israel certainly has a reputation right now — and not even talking about the genocide remarks and opinions that exist in real-world political thought and theory.
So, because a midlaner is having a good game at killing his enemies doesn’t mean you get to compare it to a warlord. Even if it’s kinda funny wordplay.
We reached out to Riot Games regarding the drama, and they had no further follow-up comments beyond the LEC post last night. We enquired whether there were any production training or sackings, but there was no further comment at this time.
At the time I’m finalizing this piece, I do have the Fnatic vs SK game on the other monitor while I’m writing. I don’t think I’ve seen any highlighted messages in this game. So I think we have our answer for the time being about what LEC is thinking about featuring chat messages for the near future.
