Zona de Azar Argentina – Argentina: Investigation into Illegal Betting in Argentina’s First Division Soccer
Argentina – November 14, 2024 www.zonadeazar.com The Special Prosecutor’s Office for Gambling will investigate Spreen’s entry against Vélez to determine if it was linked to illegal betting.
The Spreen-Riestra phenomenon continues to make waves on social media and in the press, with interactions exceeding 286 million as of Monday, following the YouTuber’s participation of less than a minute against Vélez, the league leader.
Far from subsiding, the topic remains heated, as despite an apology from Deportivo Riestra, the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Gambling has launched an investigation into the club, Cristian Fabbiani, and Iván Buhajeruk, better known as Spreen.
RIESTRA VS VELEZ. Fecha 22 Copa Liga Profesional. Fútbol Argentina Primera División 11/11/2024
Fabbiani, Spreen, and Riestra Under Investigation for Illegal Betting
The reaction was swift and negative. For several weeks, there had been speculation about Spreen’s possible debut with Deportivo Riestra, which materialized this Monday in the match between the Malevo and Vélez. Many saw it as merely a marketing strategy that wouldn’t come to fruition. Nevertheless, Cristian Fabbiani’s coaching staff decided that Ivan Buhajeruk, or Spreen, would start against the Fortín in the 22nd round of the Professional League.
The YouTuber’s inclusion in the starting lineup was already unusual, but it became even stranger when he was substituted less than a minute into the game. After the kickoff, Pedro Ramírez made a hard tackle on Thiago Fernández, stopping the game and allowing “El Ogro” to make a substitution, bringing Gustavo Fernández on and taking Spreen out, who didn’t even get a touch in the 59 seconds he was on the field.
Nearly 24 hours after the match between Riestra and Vélez ended in a 1-1 draw, intensifying the league race, the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Gambling (FEJA), headed by Juan Rozas, announced an investigation against Malevo, Spreen, and Cristian Fabbiani.
According to the statement, the club, influencer, and coach are being investigated to determine whether Spreen’s participation was aimed at attracting illegal bettors.
The same statement detailed that the FEJA has ordered the Judicial Investigations Unit (CIJ) to carry out necessary evidence-gathering procedures to advance the investigation.
Deportivo Riestra’s Official Statement after Spreen’s Inclusion
“Yesterday, we had the opportunity to feature Iván Buhajeruk, the leading streamer in Latin America, in the match against Vélez. Unfortunately, this marketing action generated many negative opinions. We offer our sincerest apologies to those who felt offended.
At no time was it our intention to disrespect Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield or Argentine soccer in general. This situation was clarified during the week leading up to the game by our coach, who communicated with his Vélez counterpart about the initiative. The same occurred between the captains of both teams.
Our goal was (and is) to attract new audiences to soccer, building bridges between different worlds and platforms to continue enhancing the sport and our club during this historic moment in the First Division.
As Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez has noted, young audiences are declining in this activity in Europe. Through this action, Riestra aims to connect with new generations that today find themselves on social media through influencers.
We deeply value the work of all those involved in the beautiful activity that is soccer, and we reaffirm our commitment to it, seeking to contribute positively to the evolution and growth of the sport we love in all its aspects.”
Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com
