Anger in Argentina as social media influencer starts top-flight football match [Video]

Argentine club Deportivo Riestra have been branded “shameful” and a “disgrace” for playing a social media influencer against league leaders Velez Sarsfield before substituting him in the first minute.

Ivan Buhajeruk, better known as Spreen, has no professional football experience but was named in the starting line-up by head coach Cristian Fabbiani in an apparent advertising stunt to promote an energy drink with ties to the club ownership.

‘Spreen’, who has more than 7 million subscribers on YouTube, has replaced after just 50 seconds as TyC Sports commentators delivered a scathing assessment of his performance.

“He doesn’t even know where to stand … it’s unbelievable,” one commentator said. “This is shameful, it’s a total disgrace.”

The lowly Buenos Aires club, who are known for their unconventional marketing strategies, gave Buhajeruk a professional contract and registered him with the Argentine FA in February.

Manager Fabbiani told a local radio station that …