Argentina soccer membership Deportivo Riestra have been accused of “a scarcity of respect for soccer” after naming a social media influencer of their beginning lineup for a top-flight sport towards leaders Velez Sarsfield on Monday.
Ivan Buhajeruk, who is best referred to as “Spreen” and has greater than 8 million subscribers on YouTube and greater than 5 million followers on Instagram, has no skilled soccer expertise however was named as a striker within the facet by coach Cristian Fabbiani. The 24-year-old was subbed off after solely 50 seconds in the course of the first break in play with out touching the ball.
The Buenos Aires membership, who’re recognized for his or her unconventional advertising and marketing methods, gave Buhajeruk knowledgeable contract and registered him with the Argentine FA in February. He began coaching with the workforce final Tuesday.
Deportivo Riestra executives defended the stunt as a push for his or her principal sponsor, an vitality drink firm, whereas some present and former gamers disagreed with the transfer.
“What occurred at the moment was a scarcity of respect for soccer, it’s a incorrect message to society, to children who attempt laborious,” mentioned Velez striker Braian Romero, who scored from a penalty kick within the forty third minute to open the scoring. “Soccer just isn’t that, it’s attempting and failing and attempting once more.”
Former Argentina worldwide Juan Sebastian Veron, now president of Argentine membership Estudiantes de la Plata, was unimpressed by the publicity stunt. “A complete lack of respect for soccer and footballers,” he wrote on Instagram.
Deportivo Riestra’s captain Milton Celiz mentioned the thought for Buhajeruk to take the pitch got here from Victor Stinfale, who owns each the membership and the vitality drink firm that sponsors it.
“As a streamer, he’s primary,” Celiz mentioned when requested about Buhajeruk’s expertise.
Fabbiani informed an area radio station that he had spoken to Velez coach Gustavo Quinteros forward of the match to inform him he didn’t wish to disrespect anybody by naming Buhajeruk within the workforce.
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“He laughed and informed me to go away him for half an hour,” mentioned Fabbiani. “It’s one thing contractual that was signed a very long time in the past and the membership relies upon so much on publicity … it was in all probability a one-time factor.”
Nicolás Caro Torres equalised for Deportivo Riestra within the 63rd minute because the match completed 1-1.
Velez Sarsfield lead the Primera Division with 43 factors, whereas Deportivo Riestra are ninth with 31 factors of their maiden marketing campaign within the Argentina prime flight.