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FIFA has opened an investigation after alleged racist abuse directed at iShowSpeed was captured during one of the streamer’s World Cup livestreams on YouTube, reports the New York Times.
Over the past month, Speed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., has become an unofficial face of the World Cup online, livestreaming matches from stadiums across the United States and giving millions of viewers a front-row seat to the tournament via his official partnership with FIFA, FOX Sports, and YouTube. His streams have featured appearances from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimović, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
FIFA confirmed Tuesday that it had opened an investigation into an incident that took place during Argentina’s July 3 Round of 32 victory over Cape Verde at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. In footage from Speed’s livestream, the 21-year-old creator, who was wearing a Cape Verde jersey, is seen confronting an Argentina supporter in the stands after viewers alleged the fan directed a racist remark toward him.
“The FIFA World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity and respect,” the organization said in a statement provided to the Associated Press. “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 investigation comes as Argentina has found itself at the center of several of the tournament’s biggest flashpoints. Just days after the Cape Verde match, the defending champions survived a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Egypt in the Round of 16 — a result overshadowed by disputed VAR decisions, a disallowed Egyptian goal, and a formal complaint from the Egyptian Football Association over the officiating. The controversy has fueled intense online debate around Argentina’s path through the tournament.
Speed, a longtime Cristiano Ronaldo supporter who frequently trolls Lionel Messi online, was also seen taunting the Argentine star before his missed penalty against Egypt. Later in the same stream, the creator was confronted by Argentina fans in the stands, with one appearing to mock his movements while yelling at him. “What’s wrong with that guy?” Speed says in the broadcast.
For Speed, who has over 57 million subscribers on YouTube and nearly 150 million followers across platforms, the incident underscores how his streams have become more than creator content.
With tens of millions of followers tuning in, he’s emerged as the World Cup’s premier Gen Z correspondent, bringing viewers into the stands to capture the tournament’s real atmosphere, not just the polished TV moments.
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