Argentine Football Club Criticized for Fielding YouTube Star in Top-Flight Match

Argentine club Deportivo Riestra, currently ninth in the Primera Division, has drawn criticism, including accusations of displaying a “lack of respect towards football,” for selecting a YouTube personality to play as a striker in a recent top-tier game. Ivan Buhajeruk, widely recognized by his alias Spreen, was in the starting lineup for the home match against Primera Division leaders Velez Sarsfield on Monday. He was substituted less than a minute into the game, which concluded in a 1-1 draw. The 24-year-old Buhajeruk, who lacks prior professional football experience, received a professional contract from the Buenos Aires-based club in February. He boasts over seven million subscribers on YouTube and promotes an energy drink that also serves as Riestra’s shirt sponsor. Braian Romero, a forward for Velez, commented, “It was a lack of respect towards football.” He added, “What happened today is a wrong message that we give to the youngest in society, to those who try until the end.” Romero further stated, “That is not the way. Football is about trying, failing and trying again, always.” The newspaper La Nacion described the event as “shameful” and something that “tramples on the dreams and the effort that inhabit dozens of youth players throughout the country.” Concurrently, match commentators on the local broadcaster Tyc Sports characterized it as “a total disgrace.” Juan Sebastian Veron, a former midfielder for Manchester United, Chelsea, and Argentina, who currently serves as president of Argentine club Estudiantes de la Plata, remarked that the situation demonstrated a “total lack of respect for football and footballers.” The Argentine Football Association has announced the initiation of an investigation, citing concerns that the action may have violated its code of ethics. Riestra’s coach, Cristian Fabbiani, informed a local radio station that he had no intention of disrespecting anyone and noted that Velez coach Gustavo Quinteros had laughed when he informed him of the incident prior to the match. Fabbiani explained, “It’s something contractual that was signed a long time ago,” adding, “The club depends a lot on publicity. It was probably a one-time thing.”