Argentine side Deportivo Riestra have been accused of showing a “lack of respect towards football” after picking a YouTube star as a striker in a top-flight match.
Ivan Buhajeruk, better known as Spreen, started at home to Primera Division leaders Velez Sarsfield on Monday before being substituted after less than a minute of the 1-1 draw.
Buhajeruk, 24, has no professional football experience but was given a professional contract by the Buenos Aires club in February.
He has more than seven million subscribers on Youtube and advertises an energy drink that is also Riestra’s shirt sponsor.
Velez forward Braian Romero said: “It was a lack of respect towards football.
“What happened today is a wrong message that we give to the youngest in society, to those who try until the end.
“That is not the way. Football is about trying, failing and trying again, always.”
Newspaper La Nacion said it was “shameful” and “tramples on the dreams and the effort that inhabit dozens of youth players throughout the country”, while match commentators on local broadcaster Tyc Sports labelled it “a total disgrace”.
Former Manchester United, Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, now president of Argentine club Estudiantes de la Plata, said it showed a “total lack of respect for football and footballers.”
The Argentine Football Association said it has launched an investigation as the stunt may have breached its code of ethics.
Riestra coach Cristian Fabbiani told a local radio station that he did not want to disrespect anyone and that Velez coach Gustavo Quinteros laughed when he told him about the incident before the game.
“It’s something contractual that was signed a long time ago,” said Fabbiani. “The club depends a lot on publicity. It was probably a one-time thing.”