The choice by Argentine soccer supporter Rene Seghini to hurl racial slurs at a Black man after Sunday’s World Cup defeat to Spain is now sending ripples across the Miami area, affecting the local community and a long-standing regional restaurant chain.
The incident prompted statements from Seghini and from Taco Rico, a Tex-Mex restaurant he owns with a West Kendall, Florida location, as a response to the growing online backlash surrounding the Argentina fan’s behavior.
Compounding the situation, online commenters flooded the social media pages and Google reviews of several Taco Rico outlets with negative remarks that could threaten the profits of other franchisees who were not involved in Seghini’s racist outburst.
“It’s affecting us tremendously, and we work very hard,” Tato Gonzalez, who operates a Taco Rico in Homestead, told CBS News. “Everyone can see if you check my Google reviews the kind of experience we provide—the food is one thing, but we actually deliver an experience to each customer.”
Video: An Argentina fan shouts racist slurs at a Black fan after the World Cup loss to Spain, his wife attempting to muffled him but failing to stop the outburst.
“Basically, they’re blaming Taco Rico itself, and what they don’t realize is that Taco Rico Homestead is my location, and (Seghini) runs his own site with his wife,” Gonzalez added.
The episode began when a Black man, later identified as a popular Instagram prankster, verbally taunted and danced in front of Argentina supporters while wearing a Mexico jersey after Spain won the World Cup.
Maia Seghini then shoved the Black man in the back, causing him to move toward a nearby street. While Rene appeared to stay seated at first, a bystander filming the exchange later captured him yelling racial slurs at the Black man.
“We hate n—rs,” Rene Seghini shouted as his wife tried to cover his mouth. “Argentina, baby!”
After online users traced the Seghini couple, they shut down their personal Instagram accounts and the page tied to the West Kendall Taco Rico location they operate.
That response may have driven social media backlash toward Taco Rico through other brand accounts, to the dismay of other nearby owners.
“I used a racist and hurtful slur, and there is no excuse for it,” Rene Seghini said in a statement. “I am deeply sorry, and I owe a direct apology to the Black community, who I hurt with my words, along with everyone else who was rightfully harmed by my poor actions. That language is wrong, it does not reflect who I want to be, and I take full responsibility for it.”
“I also apologize to my family, my employees, my fellow franchisees, and this community I have served for more than 10 years,” Rene Seghini added. “My words do not reflect them, and they should not bear any consequence for my actions.“
Despite the apology, Taco Rico’s Corporate Team said they would carry out a formal review of the West Kendall location owned by Rene Seghini to decide whether he should continue to operate under their banner.
“Taco Rico was built more than 34 years ago on the principle that every guest, employee, and community member is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background,” the company stated.
“We recognize that words alone are not enough. We are taking direct, concrete steps, and we will update our guests, franchise owners, employees, and community as this review progresses.”
“To the Black community and to everyone who was rightfully angered and hurt by this video: we hear you, we stand with you, and we are acting on it.”
The Black man seen taunting the Argentina fans was later detained by police after another Argentina supporter (unrelated to Rene Seghini) was seen pursuing him on video.
View this post on Instagram
Danielle Brooks
I am a staff writer at New York Beacon, where I focus on culture, entrepreneurship, and the emerging voices redefining Black America. My work highlights innovators, artists, and founders whose stories often unfold beyond mainstream headlines but shape communities in meaningful ways. Through precise reporting and thoughtful storytelling, I aim to document progress, challenge narratives, and contribute to a stronger Black press tradition.