Rickey Smiley claims Argentina fans racially abused his son during 2026 World Cup

Rickey Smiley, veteran radio host and comedian, said on his "Rickey Smiley Morning Show" that after Spain beat Argentina 1‑0 in the 2026 World Cup final, he witnessed Argentine supporters harassing his son Malik at the stadium. He described the fans speaking to Malik as if he were "less than a human being," repeatedly sizing him up and threatening him, prompting Smiley to intervene and say, “I’m his dad.”

The incident left Smiley in tears and led him to research anti‑Blackness in Argentina. He noted that similar accusations of racism by Argentine fans have surfaced before, including a case involving streamer iShowSpeed that prompted a FIFA investigation.