FIFA have admitted Salt Bae should not have been on the pitch after the World Cup final.
The celebrity restaurateur was seen holding the trophy and pestering Argentina players for photographs after their win against France on Sunday.
Football’s governing body had remained tight lipped on the issue after the Turkish chef and butcher – who owns a chain of restaurants including one in London – was widely criticised on social media for attempting to insert himself into the celebrations at Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
But FIFA have now confirmed that Salt Bae’s access to the pitch was unauthorised and that FIFA guidelines state that only World Cup winners and heads of state are allowed to touch the trophy during the closing ceremony.
According to the rules on FIFA’s website: “As one of the most recognised sports symbols in the world 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 winners of the FIFA World Cup and heads of state.”
FIFA are now conducting an investigation into the circumstances which led up to Salt Bae, real name Nusret Gokce, ending up on the pitch, Sky Sports News reports.
A spokesperson for FIFA said: “Following a review, FIFA has been establishing how individuals gained undue access to the pitch after the closing ceremony at Lusail Stadium on 18 December. The appropriate internal action will be taken.”
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Since the World Cup final, a video has emerged of FIFA president Gianni Infantino having his steak sliced by Salt Bae and then mimicking his famous seasoning technique at his restaurant in Dubai.
Salt Bae was one of Infantino’s 303 Instagram followers at 6pm on Thursday, but as of 7.15pm on Thursday had been unfollowed.
Awkward scenes ensued in the aftermath of Argentina’s victory on penalties on Sunday as the chef was filmed hassling players who seemed baffled by his presence.
Lionel Messi was seen repeatedly trying to shake off Mr Gokce after he grabbed the PSG star to try to take a photograph.
Angel di Maria and Lisandro Martinez seemed similarly confused by the chef’s appearance.
Salt Bae gained worldwide fame in 2017 after a video of him showing off his flamboyant meat seasoning method became an internet meme.
His London restaurant, the Nusr-et steakhouse in the upmarket suburb of Knightsbridge, was recently the focus of protest by Animal Rebellion activists over his “selling gold-plated steaks for more than £1,000”, which the group said was “symbolic of a broken system”.
