Argentinian influencer and esports CEO included discriminatory remarks against black and overweight people, which cost his job.
Santiago ‘Santutu’ Rodríguez Zahn was the target of major backlash and criticism after an incendiary clip from his livestream on Kick from February 1st surfaced.
During his stream, Santutu responded to viewers criticising his promotion of gambling platforms by claiming they would do anything to be in his spot. He said they dreamed of having his life, where he could bet 35,000 dollars daily on an online casino. He went on to make racist and fatphobic remarks about them, which his organization deemed unacceptable.
BESTIA released a statement on X yesterday announcing they would be suspending Santutu indefinitely. They said that his remarks to not align with the organization, which “rejects any type of discrimination or racism.”
The founder, Alejandro ‘PapoMC’ Lococo, made a statement echoing this. He also said that he had had a 2-hour call with Santutu, in which he expressed regret for his words on stream.
Santutu put out a public apology on X yesterday that expressed disbelief and embarrasment he felt from his remarks.
On other occasions, Santutu has been found saying the same racist remarks on Twitter on other occasions.
BESTIA in another public controversy after VISA issues at BLAST Austin
BESTIA was in the public eye not too long ago, when in May of 2025 they failed to secure their VISAS in time to travel and compete in the USA. BLAST made the decision to replace them with Brazilian team Legacy at that time.
The aforementioned founder, PapoMC, helped stoke a public uproar of Argentinian fans to uphold BESTIA’s right to compete, despite failing to secure travel documentation before the deadline.
PapoMC then posted images on X of VISAS for his players which he claimed to have obtained, 2 days after the deadline. They were of the B1/B2 type, likely inappropriate for his players, who would have needed a VISA of the P-1A type.
