FIFA has launched an investigation after reports that American streamer IShowSpeed was targeted with racist abuse during Argentina’s 3-2 win over Cape Verde.
Darren Jason Watkins Jr., known online as IShowSpeed, has tens of millions of followers - about 57 million on YouTube and 53 million on TikTok - and has been livestreaming World Cup matches, sometimes featuring high-profile guests such as FIFA president Gianni Infantino and former striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
FIFA said it was alerted to an incident at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on July 3, where the last-32 match took place, and that it “immediately initiated an investigation.”
Video on IShowSpeed’s YouTube channel shows him wearing a Cape Verde jersey and confronting an Argentina supporter in the stands.
“The FIFA World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity and respect,” the governing body said. “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 allegation follows another high-profile racism controversy at the tournament: France forward Kylian Mbappé recently condemned Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after she made racist remarks about his background following Paraguay’s defeat to France.
The French Football Federation has said it will pursue criminal charges, calling Amarilla’s comments “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable.”
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