Football's global governing body, Fifa, has initiated an investigation following claims of racist abuse directed at American social media influencer IShowSpeed during a World Cup match in Miami. The alleged incident took place on Friday, 3 July, at the Hard Rock Stadium, where Argentina secured a 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in a last-32 fixture.
IShowSpeed, known as Darren Jason Watkins Jr, boasts a significant online presence with 57 million subscribers on YouTube and 53 million followers on TikTok. He has been live-streaming matches throughout the tournament, with notable figures such as Fifa President Gianni Infantino and former football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic making appearances on his broadcasts.
Fifa confirmed it was made aware of the incident and "immediately initiated an investigation." Footage circulating on IShowSpeed's YouTube channel reportedly shows the 21-year-old, wearing a Cape Verde kit, in a confrontation with an Argentina fan within the stadium stands.
In a statement, Fifa emphasised its commitment to inclusivity: "The Fifa World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity and respect. 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 organisation's stance underscores its zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory behaviour in football.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another high-profile racism controversy involving France forward Kylian Mbappe. Days prior, Mbappe condemned remarks made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla, who allegedly posted racist comments mocking his origin and education after Paraguay's defeat to France in the World Cup's last 16. The French Football Federation (FFF) has announced its intention to file criminal charges against Amarilla, describing her comments as "utterly abhorrent and unacceptable."