Between disbelief, viral reaction and indignation, the world of Argentine football reacted strongly on Tuesday to the hiring, on Monday, for just a minute of play, of an influencer with no football experience in a first division match.
Ivan Buhajeruk, known by the nickname “Spreen”, a 24-year-old streamer with around fifteen million followers on various social networks – more than 9 million on Twitch – has established himself in the starting lineup of Deportivo Riestra, promoted this season to the “Primera Liga” , in the match against league leaders Velez Sarsfield.
Lined up in attack, “Spreen” played just over a minute – 78 seconds, the media counted – before being replaced. He didn’t touch a single ball, while the match ended in a draw (1-1) which left Velez at the top of the table and Riestra in 9th. Regardless of the result, the sports – and general – press on Tuesday only saw the participation of the young influencer, with essentially indignant reactions. But also noting that the objective – the buzz – desired by Riestra has been achieved.
Not everyone was convinced, far from it. Visibly upset, the Velez striker, current top scorer of the championship, Braian Romero, denounced a “lack of respect towards football” after the match. He regretted the “cheating”, a “wrong message sent to society, to children, to those who try until the end” to make it in football. Football “is not this, it is trying hard, leaving the family (…), trying, failing, trying, failing, failing again, trying again”.
New audience or bets?
Juan Sébastian Veron, former international (73 caps) and current president of Estudiantes de La Plata, also criticized a “total lack of respect for football and footballers”. The captain of Deportivo Riestra, Milton Celiz, had a more mixed reaction, between understanding and rejection. “He’s a friend from home, he has a contract (…) he’s taking advantage of it, everyone would like to play in the First Division.” But he also said he “understands the criticism”, adding that “it is not our responsibility (as players), it is the business of the owners” of the club.
The Federation (AFA) has asked its ethics tribunal to investigate “possible behavior that could damage the reputation for integrity of Argentine football”. For the AFA, “at first glance, (Buhajeruk’s) inclusion could have violated one or more clauses of the code of ethics.”
Riestra, a small club from Buenos Aires that has climbed five divisions in ten years, supported by a businessman and lawyer who owns a brand of energy drinks, had to defend itself on Tuesday, highlighting “the numerous negative opinions” in its “marketing action”. ”It was never our intention to disrespect Club Atletico de Velez Sarsfield, nor Argentine football,” the club assured in a statement, recalling that Velez had been notified of the initiative the week before the match.
“Our goal was (and is) to attract new audiences to football, generate bridges between different worlds and platforms to continue to strengthen the product (football, ed.) and our club, which is experiencing a historic moment in the Premiere division” . Riestra states that he will “continue to work with all the components” of football, to “contribute to the evolution and growth of the sport we love”. But he still offers his “most sincere apologies to anyone who felt offended”.
On Tuesday, some media outlets noted even darker suspicions surrounding the news. The Clarin newspaper reports that on Monday an online betting company offered juicy bets on whether Spreen will leave or not. The prosecutor’s office specializing in gambling has opened an investigation.
“Strange things are happening in world champion football,” concluded Clarin, in reference to the tension between the clubs, in associative form, and the Milei government which would like to transform them into joint-stock companies, open to foreign capital. “But things also happen that shouldn’t happen. And which should be investigated.”
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert on the Controversial Inclusion of Influencer in Argentine Football
Editor: Good afternoon, everyone! Today, we’re diving into a heated topic that has taken Argentine football by storm—a division match where an influencer made a one-minute appearance. Joining me is renowned football analyst, Dr. Laura Mendes. Welcome, Dr. Mendes!
Dr. Mendes: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss this fascinating—and controversial—situation.
Editor: Let’s start right at the heart of the matter. Ivan Buhajeruk, known as “Spreen”, stepped onto the field for just 78 seconds in a match between Deportivo Riestra and Velez Sarsfield. What was your initial reaction when you heard about this?
Dr. Mendes: I was shocked! It’s not every day you see a streamer with no prior football experience being put into a match, particularly in a first division game. It raises questions about the direction football is heading towards. Is this about attracting new audiences, or are clubs simply chasing viral moments?
Editor: That’s an interesting point. The buzz around “Spreen” clearly worked—his presence garnered widespread media attention. But many players, like Braian Romero, voiced outrage, claiming it sends the wrong message about the game. How important is that sentiment in the professional sports community?
Dr. Mendes: It’s incredibly important. Football is about dedication, hard work, and sacrifice, as Romero pointed out. When a club opts for shock value over merit, it undermines those values. For young athletes, seeing influencers parachuted into professional scenarios could create a false narrative about success being accessible through popularity rather than skill and perseverance.
Editor: Exactly! Yet, we also had mixed reactions from inside the club, particularly from captain Milton Celiz, who expressed both support for Buhajeruk and understanding of the criticism. What does this duality tell us about the culture within Argentine football, particularly in smaller clubs like Deportivo Riestra?
Dr. Mendes: It highlights a significant tension. Smaller clubs often seek financial stability and media visibility to elevate their status. Celiz’s comments show that players are navigating the conflict between maintaining the integrity of the sport and understanding the commercial pressures that clubs face. In this case, they might feel compelled to embrace such marketing stunts to survive.
Editor: The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has now initiated an investigation regarding the integrity of the inclusion. How do you see this playing out?
Dr. Mendes: The AFA’s involvement is crucial, as it suggests they want to uphold the integrity of the sport. If they find breaches of their code of ethics, it could lead to serious implications for Deportivo Riestra. This scrutiny is vital in ensuring that the values of football are not overshadowed by marketing gimmicks.
Editor: It seems like we’re at a crossroads—traditional values of the sport versus modern marketing strategies. What do you think this means for the future of football in Argentina?
Dr. Mendes: This moment could be a pivotal one. If clubs continue down this path, we may see a shift that prioritizes entertainment over sport. However, there’s also the potential for clubs to blend tradition and modernity in a way that attracts diverse audiences while respecting the game’s roots. If not handled carefully, we risk alienating devotion and hard work, core to what fans love about football.
Editor: Wise words, Dr. Mendes. Thank you for your insights today—it’s clear that this is a conversation that needs to continue as we adapt to an ever-evolving sporting landscape.
Dr. Mendes: Thank you for having me! Let’s hope the sport finds a balance that honors its history while embracing new audiences responsibly.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in! Stay connected with Time.news for more updates on this developing story in Argentine football.