YouTuber who streaked at World Cup closing going through 24 years in Asian jail after police accost him
Vitaly Zdorovetskiy has been arrested and detained in the Philippines after the internet personality allegedly harassed members of the public and security guards during a Kick livestream
The man who infamously streaked during the 2014 World Cup final could be staring down the barrel of a hefty prison sentence for his latest shenanigans.
Prankster Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, better known by his online alias Vitalyzdtv, went viral when he invaded the pitch at Maracana Stadium during Germany’s victory over Argentina more than a decade ago. He had “natural born prankster” scrawled across his chest and made a dash towards the players, trying to kiss Benedikt Howedes before security detained him.
Since then, Zdorovetskiy has had a few run-ins with the law and even claimed that he spent five days in an Egyptian cell after scaling the Pyramids of Giza. But he could be facing a far lengthier sentence for his recent antics in the Philippines.
The 33-year-old was arrested in Bonifacio Global City on April 2, after allegedly harassing members of the public and security guards during a live Kick stream. Currently being held in the Camp Bagong Diwa detention centre, Philippines Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla presented him to the public just five days following his arrest, reports the Mirror.
During the presentation, Remulla said: “People have to take responsibility for the content they create. It is not a licence to shame, or to hurt, or to besmirch anyone.” He also said that there will be “no special treatment” for Zdorovetskiy and his actions, and that he will face criminial charges in the country.
Speaking about Zdorovetskiy’s case, he said: “Vitaly engaged in multiple disruptive and inappropriate acts, including attempting to kiss and grab him, trying to seize his service firearm, taking pictures of him without consent, mocking other security guards, and vlogging without a permit in BGC.”
According to YouTuber Atozy, who made a video explaining Zdorovetskiy’s situation, Vitaly could now face up to 24 years in prison if found guilty. Meanwhile, some social media users have suggested that it may be a couple of years before his case goes to trial.
One person claimed: “Zdorovetskiy will remain in prison for 2-3 years, during which his trials are expected to last. If found guilty, he would likely be sentenced around 2027-8!”
Born in Murmansk, Russia, Zdorovetskiy moved to the United States at the age of 14 alongside his mother. While he initially sought out a career as a professional skateboarder, early injuries put an abrupt end to his aspirations. Instead, he decided to pursue work in video making, launching his YouTube channel and concentrating on ‘prank’-centred content.
He burst onto the scene with his headline-grabbing streak at that World Cup final, before he was arrested for trespassing two years later after scaling the Hollywood Sign for a viral video. The same year, he was arrested once more for streaking during Game 4 of the NBA Finals, in which the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the Golden State Warriors.
In 2017, Zdorovetskiy once again entered the field of play, this time at Minute Maid Park during Game 5 of the World Series – shortly after Carlos Correa hit a homer. Then in 2022, during the quarter finals of the World Cup, Zdorovetskiy once more streaked with “Vitaly the GOAT” wrote on his chest during a clash between Argentina and the Netherlands.
