Influencer’s Selection Sparks Outrage

By   Milcah   Tanimu

Deportivo Riestra, an Argentine football club, has faced intense criticism after selecting an influencer with no professional football experience for their starting XI. Ivan Buhajeruk, known as “Spreen,” is a popular streamer with 15 million followers on social media.

The 24-year-old played against Primera Division leaders Velez Sarsfield on Monday. He lasted just 78 seconds before the club substituted him, having not touched the ball.

The Controversial Decision

“Spreen,” a well-known figure on platforms like Twitch, has over 9 million followers. His selection for the match sparked widespread backlash across the football community.

The club’s announcement on X (formerly Twitter) racked up 3.4 million views, far surpassing typical match-related posts.

Condemnation from Football Figures

Argentine football figures strongly condemned the move. Juan Sebastian Veron, a former Manchester United star, criticized it as “a total lack of respect for football and footballers.”

Velez Sarsfield striker Braian Romero also called it “a lack of respect,” pointing out that it sends a negative message to young players striving to break into the sport.

Riestra Defends the Decision

Deportivo Riestra captain Milton Celiz defended the club’s choice, stating that “He’s a friend of the club, he has a contract… let him enjoy it.” Celiz added that the decision came from the club’s owners, not the players.

Though Celiz understood the backlash, he emphasized that the intent was not to disrespect Velez Sarsfield or Argentine football.

The Club’s Explanation

In a statement, Riestra explained that the decision aimed to attract new audiences to football. They stated that their goal was to build bridges between different platforms and strengthen the club’s brand during their historic first season in the top division.

A Call for Investigation

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has asked its ethics committee to investigate the incident. The AFA expressed concern that such actions could damage the reputation of Argentine football.

Deportivo Riestra earned promotion to the top division last season after an impressive rise through the ranks.