Deportivo Riestra Criticized for YouTuber's Debut

Deportivo Riestra, an Argentine football club, has faced severe backlash after fielding YouTuber Ivan Buhajeruk, known as Spreen, in a top-flight match against Velez Sarsfield, despite his lack of professional football experience. Buhajeruk played just 50 seconds before being substituted without touching the ball, leading to widespread criticism from players and commentators alike, who deemed the decision disrespectful to the sport. Velez forward Braian Romero expressed concerns that such actions send a poor message to aspiring athletes, while former international Juan Sebastian Veron condemned the incident as a lack of respect for dedicated footballers. The controversy has sparked a discussion regarding the influence of social media celebrities in traditional sports and the motivations behind Buhajeruk's selection, particularly as he is linked to the club's sponsorship deal. The Argentine Football Association is now investigating the incident, which may violate ethical codes. Riestra's coach defended the decision as contractual and highlighted its commercial implications, suggesting it was intended as a one-time occurrence.