World Cup: Fifa probe celebrity chef Salt Bae's 'undue access' at final
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Salt Bae, whose real name is Nusret Gokce, was pictured holding and kissing the World Cup trophy.
PHOTO: TWITTER
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LONDON - World football governing body Fifa is investigating how celebrity chef Salt Bae gained “undue access” to the pitch after the World Cup final, where he enthusiastically posed for photos with surprised Argentina players, including a bemused and irritated Lionel Messi.
Salt Bae, whose real name is Nusret Gokce, was pictured holding and kissing the trophy after Argentina beat France in a penalty shoot-out in Sunday’s final in Qatar.
The Turkish entrepreneur was widely criticised for twice grabbing the arm of Messi, who tried to sidestep the unwanted attention.
He was also photographed with Angel di Maria, Lisandro Martinez and even seen sinking his teeth into another player’s medal.
Fifa rules state the World Cup trophy, which it describes as a “priceless icon”, can be held only by the tournament winners and the likes of Fifa officials and heads of state.
“Following a review, Fifa has been establishing how individuals gained undue access to the pitch after the closing ceremony at Lusail Stadium on Dec 18,” a spokesman told the BBC.
“The appropriate internal action will be taken.”
Salt Bae’s actions sparked outrage on social media, with many fans questioning how he was allowed to be on the pitch despite not being involved in the final.
The 39-year-old owns a chain of luxury restaurants around the world, including Beverly Hills in Los Angeles and London’s swish Knightsbridge.
His technique for preparing and seasoning meat with salt has become an Internet meme.
Earlier in the World Cup, he posted a video of himself at a match sitting next to Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who visited one of his restaurants in Dubai in January 2021.
“Mr Nusrat, No. 1, the best of the best, unforgettable evening in Dubai,” Infantino said in a video posted then, before calling him a “legend”.
It is not known if Infantino allowed Salt Bae onto the pitch but what is clear is that fans are unhappy.
“He can serve steak to the winners, but hands off the damn trophy,” a Twitter user wrote.
“He literally harassed the players! They couldn’t even enjoy their game win!” another said.
Others called him an “absolute loser”, adding: “(He) should be banned. Pulling and pushing the players AND the trophy they won after years and years of hard work. So disrespectful that it’s unbelievable.’‘
While Fifa investigates the incident, the Turk has been banned from the US Open Cup final, the oldest and most prestigious football tournament in the United States.
The competition’s official Twitter account tweeted after the controversy: ‘‘Salt Bae is hereby banned from the 2023 @opencup Final.”
AFP
