FIFA has opened an investigation following allegations of racist abuse involving American social media influencer IShowSpeed and a supporter during Argentina's 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde in the World Cup Round of 32 on Friday.
The 21-year-old streamer, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr, was livestreaming the match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami when footage captured him confronting a fan wearing an Argentina jersey in the stands. The fan, speaking in Spanish, appeared to tell IShowSpeed, who is Black, to "go cry to the zoo". Other reports indicate the fan also used a racial slur and told him to "go home".
Football's world governing body said it was made aware of the incident and "immediately initiated an investigation".
"FIFA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms," the governing body said in a statement.
"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."
IShowSpeed has become one of the tournament's highest-profile online personalities, livestreaming matches throughout the competition. He currently has more than 57 million YouTube subscribers and 53 million TikTok followers.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and former Barcelona and AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic have both appeared on his broadcasts during the tournament.
The alleged abuse of IShowSpeed comes days after France forward Kylian Mbappe labelled Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla as "despicable" and unworthy of her position after she made a number of racist remarks mocking his origin and education.
Amarilla, of Paraguay's Liberal Radical Party, posted her comments on X after her country's defeat by France in the Round of 16. The French Football Federation has announced plans to file criminal charges, describing Amarilla's remarks as "utterly abhorrent and unacceptable".
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