FIFA have admitted Salt Bae shouldn’t have been on the pitch after the World Cup final after the celebrity chef was seen holding the trophy and trying to spoil Argentina’s celebrations.
Salt Bae, real name Nusret Gokce, broke FIFA rules by touching and holding the World Cup after Argentina beat France on penalties in Sunday’s thrilling finale.
World football’s governing body had opted for a vow of silence over Salt Bae’s antics – widely criticized on social networks – before finally commenting on Thursday afternoon.
Salt Bae was able to access the pitch after the final and won the World Cup trophy
Salt Bae, real name Nusret Gokce, broke FIFA trophy rules with his post-final antics
The Turkish chef shared a video of himself with FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Instagram last year
FIFA pledged to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and suggested that Salt Bae “gained improper access to the pitch”.
“Following a review, FIFA has established how individuals gained improper access to the pitch after the closing ceremony at the Lusail stadium on December 18. Appropriate internal measures will be taken,” a spokesperson said. at Sportsmail.
Eyebrows have been raised at the Turkish chef’s close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Salt Bae received a VVIP pass to the Infantino Finals, although he has no connection to football, the teams involved or the tournament itself.
Gokce was able to access the pitch at Lusail Stadium and was pictured holding the trophy and posing for photos with the iconic gold award.
Football’s governing body has a set of rules surrounding the World Cup trophy, with a very specific list of who is allowed to touch it.
Infantino (left) was asked about his close relationship with the celebrity chef
“Its current design dates back to 1974,” the FIFA website says. “As one of the world’s most recognized sporting symbols and a priceless icon, the original FIFA World Cup trophy can only be touched and held by a very select group of people, which includes former FIFA World Cup winners and Heads of State.’
Salt Bae, who does not meet any of the criteria set by FIFA, openly promoted photos of himself with the trophy on Instagram despite the blatant violation of the rules.
He was also seen desperately trying to join Argentina’s celebrations after their spectacular win over France, with a series of goofy videos showing his clumsy attempts to hold the trophy and pose for photos alongside Angel di Maria and Lisandro Martinez.
After winning the trophy, Messi and his Argentinian teammates were joined by Salt Bae
The celebrity steak chef could be seen desperately trying to join in their celebrations
FIFA questions how Salt Bae gained access to Lusail Stadium pitch
The 39-year-old also failed to meet the criteria to enter the pitch and hold the trophy
In another clip that surfaced online, Gokce also appeared to be cleared by Messi in an uncomfortable exchange as he tried to catch the eye of the PSG superstar ahead of his long-awaited trophy at the Lusail stadium.
The culinary celebrity responded to critics by sharing images that show him meeting Messi and posing with the Argentine captain in 2018.
After enjoying a meal with then-Man United midfielder Paul Pogba at one of Salt Bae’s restaurants in Dubai, Messi can be seen shaking hands with the restaurateur and even enjoying a hug before to pose for a photo.
Simon Jordan felt Salt Bae’s appearance after the final was an example of FIFA ‘cronyism’
He captioned the post on Instagram: “the champion @leomessi #saltbae #saltlife #salt”.
Simon Jordan, former Crystal Palace chairman and talkSport pundit also took aim at FIFA over Salt Bae cameoaccusing world football’s governing body of “cronyism”.
“It defies convention, it breaks protocol,” Jordan said on talkSPORT. ‘It looks like cronyism, it smells like cronyism, it works and talks like cronyism, so guess what it is? It’s bloody cronyism.
‘It’s not professional. There is no place for him. He shouldn’t have been in the field.
A clip showed Lionel Messi masking Salt Bae as he harassed the Argentina captain on Sunday
The celebrity chef has developed friendships with countless celebrities since he was thrust into the spotlight in 2017, when a video of his salt-dusting technique went viral online.
Several football stars regularly visit his restaurants, with England players Ben White and Kalvin Phillips seen at his Mykonos establishment after Euro 2020 last year.
Infantino, who has announced his intention to remain FIFA president until 2031, has been regularly photographed with Salt Bae – which stems from his infamous method of salting the meat he serves in his expensive restaurants – during his tenure at the bar.
The FIFA chief visited the Salt Bae steakhouse in Qatar during the tournament.
Infantino can be heard in a video saying, “Football unites the world and Nusret also unites the world.”
Pop star Rhianna also lifted the trophy after Germany beat Argentina in the final in Brazil in 2014.
Nusret (pictured in 2017) went viral when he posted a video of himself seasoning a piece of meat with his ‘cobra’ hand and allowing the salt to drip down his forearm
David Beckham is one of countless celebrities who have dined at restaurants in Nusret
World football’s governing body does not appear to have commented on Rhianna’s breach of the rules.
FIFA has already granted an exception to its World Cup regulations for the Brazilian disabled football team.
It’s unclear whether Salt Bae or Rhianna received similar exceptions from the organization.
