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Argentina side Deportivo Riestra are facing a tidal wave of backlash after they pulled a publicity stunt of starting a popular YouTube influencer in their Argentine Primera División game on Monday.
The club, who sit ninth in the table, named YouTuber and Twitch streamer “Spreen” as their starting striker. Spreen, whose real name is Ivan Buhajeruk, has no experience playing the sport but was put in a professional team’s starting XI.
Estos son los 11 titulares para el partido ante Vélez
— Deportivo Riestra (@prensariestra) November 11, 2024
The gimmick lasted 50 seconds as he was substituted out in the first minute. Yes, a professional team in Argentina in the top flight wasted one of their substitutions for some internet clout.
Spanish commentators for Tyc Sports roasted the 24-year-old while he was on the field.
Spreen Argentina soccer stunt
contentisimos los de TyC Sports Internacional con Riestra y Spreen pic.twitter.com/rD7JyLssDG
— Marcos (@marcosquintanna) November 11, 2024
Spreen best skills - Riestra vs Vélez 2024 pic.twitter.com/NUSvZ29AlD
— Marcos (@marcosquintanna) November 11, 2024
"He doesn't even know where to stand ... it's unbelievable," one commentator said. "This is shameful, it's a total disgrace."
CBS analyst Nico Cantor tore into the club saying the stunt was a spit in the face of Argentina soccer players.
@cbssportsgolazo “They just spit in the face of all the kids who give their lives to make it to first division.” @Nico Cantor with a passionate criticism of Deportivo Riestra allowing streamer Argentinian Spreen to start a match for them ️ #soccer #football #footballfunny #spreen #argentina ♬ original sound - CBS Sports Golazo
Monday’s game ended 1-1.
