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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Guardian sport with agencies

‘Lack of respect’: Argentina club start social media influencer in top-flight match

Deportivo Riestra players celebrate a goal
Deportivo Riestra named social media influencer ‘Spreen’ to start in their league match against Vélez Sarsfield. Photograph: Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images

Argentinian club Deportivo Riestra have been accused of “a lack of respect for football” after naming a social media influencer in their starting lineup for a top-flight game against leaders Vélez Sarsfield on Monday.

Ivan Buhajeruk, who is better known as “Spreen” and has more than 8 million subscribers on YouTube and more than 5 million followers on Instagram, has no professional football experience but was named as a striker in the side by coach Cristian Fabbiani. The 24-year-old was subbed off after only 50 seconds during the first break in play without touching the ball.

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