FIFA has opened an investigation into allegations of racist abuse involving American social media influencer IShowSpeed and a supporter during Argentina's 3-2 victory over Cape Verde on Friday. The incident reportedly occurred at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on July 3.
IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., has a significant online presence with 57 million subscribers on YouTube and 53 million followers on TikTok. He has been live-streaming matches during the tournament, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino along with former footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović have appeared in some of his broadcasts.
Footage circulating on IShowSpeed's YouTube channel shows the 21-year-old, wearing a Cape Verde kit, in a confrontation with an Argentina fan in the stands.
"The FIFA World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity and respect," FIFA said in a statement. "It brings together people, cultures and communities from around the world and anyone who acts in a manner that undermines these values is not welcome in our game."
The alleged abuse follows a separate incident last week where French footballer Kylian Mbappé condemned racist remarks made by a Paraguayan senator, Celeste Amarilla, who had mocked his origins and education. The French Football Federation announced plans to file criminal charges against Amarilla, describing her comments as "utterly abhorrent and unacceptable."