It turns out that not all publicity is good publicity.
Deportivo Riestra of the Argentine Primera División have been left reeling after giving a 58-second debut to popular YouTuber ‘Spreen’.
Spreen, whose real name is Ivan Buhajeruk, was registered to play by the Argentine FA in Februrary, but that was seen as a move just so the hugely-popular influencer could appear in the league’s sticker book.
However, things later stepped up a level when he was named in Riestra’s line-up against Vélez Sarsfield and started the match before being withdrawn almost instantly.
Commentators and pundits slammed the publicity stunt as it happened, and they’ve been joined by even more prominent voices including Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni.
Scaloni said: “We have to be as honest as possible. I imagine that everyone will have thought the same. I remember my debut in the First Division as one of the best moments of my life. Everyone has said how hard it is to get there.
“I think that the ethics committee is going to work on this and I imagine that it will be exemplary. Please, don’t let it happen again, for the good of football.”
Argentina and Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo de Paul struck a similar tone, adding: “I don’t agree at all with what happened.
“I understand that football and the world are going in the direction of marketing and social media, but I think there have to be some limits.
“I really hope with all my heart that this does not happen again. Football is the most popular and most beautiful sport in the world, and I hope that we take care of it. There are places that have to be sacred.”
Leandro Parades also gave his thoughts, saying: “I was very surprised by what happened. Although there was talk beforehand, one thought it was just a question of marketing and that it would end there.
“It bothered me. It is a lack of respect for the player who prepares himself day after day from a very young age and for many years to be able to play in the first division.
“I hope those kids continue dreaming and wanting to play and enjoy football, which is the most beautiful thing there is, and they get there in the right way.”
Riestra soon offered a public apology, and now Spreen has added his own, saying: “They gave me the anecdote of my life and obviously I accepted.
“I didn’t take any kid’s place, but if someone felt that we disrespected them in any way I wanted to apologize. It was not the intention to be disrespectful.”
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