Controversy Erupts as YouTuber Ivan Bukheruk Makes Professional Football Debut with Deportivo Riestra

An Argentine first division professional football club is under fire for allowing a famous YouTuber to play as a striker.

The BBC, ESPN, etc. reported on the 12th, “Argentine club Deportivo Riestra was criticized for a “lack of respect” for football after hiring YouTube star Ivan Bukhaeruk (known as ‘Spreen’ on YouTube) as a -strike “Yes,”. he said.

Bukheruk has no football experience. However, Riestra offered him a professional contract last February. He is a YouTube star with over 7 million subscribers and advertises energy drink, Riestra’s uniform sponsor.

He appeared in last weekend’s match against league leaders Velez Sarsfield and was substituted less than a minute later. He never touched the ball and the game ended 1-1. ESPN reported, “He signed a contract with Deportivo Riestra two months ago and has been training with the team since last week. The club management are defending the incident, saying that It was a move to promote the energy drink company, which is a major sponsor.” “The idea came from Victor Steenphale, who owns the club and the energy drinks company,” team captain Milton Seliz told the media.

The Argentine Primera Division, in which Riestra played, is the highest football league in Argentina and is considered one of the most competitive leagues in South America, as it provides a- including traditional powerhouses such as River Plate and Boca Juniors. Velez is first in the league with 43 points. Riestra is in 9th place with 31 points.

Velez striker Brian Romero criticized “the lack of respect for football,” and said, “This could send the wrong message to young people. “Football requires a process of effort, failure, and trying. – again,” he said.

Argentine newspaper La Nacion called it “disgraceful” and said “it is an act that tramples on the dreams and efforts of many young players.” Commentators on the broadcaster said local Tyc Sports said it was a “total disgrace”. Former Manchester United, Chelsea and Argentina national team midfielder and current Estudiantes de la Plata club president Juan Sebastian Veron criticized what he called “total lack of respect for soccer and football players”.

The Argentine Football Association launched an investigation, believing that this incident may have breached ethics rules. Meanwhile, Riestra’s head coach, Christian Fabiani, said, “The club relies heavily on advertising. “It was a one-time event,” he explained.