Rabat – FIFA has opened an investigation to look into how Turkish celebrity chef Nusret Gokce, known as Salt Bae, got onto the pitch after the final of the Qatar World Cup and said that “the appropriate internal action will be taken,” the Guardian reported.
At the end of the World Cup final game between Argentina and France, videos went viral on the internet of Salt Bae interrupting and pestering Argentina’s players amid their celebrations of winning the tournament title, as he tried to take pictures with them and hold the World Cup trophy.
The videos caused outrage among football fans, many of whom criticized the chef’s behavior and questioned how he was granted access to the pitch and the right to touch the World Cup trophy, which goes against FIFA’s protocol.
One video, in particular, showed the chef following Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi around the pitch and continuously grabbing his arm to get his attention and take a picture with him. Social media users took to the internet to express their outrage at what they characterized as inappropriate behavior.
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Host of the Football Terrace channel Terry Flewers Tweeted: “This is ridiculous, shame on FIFA for allowing him to touch, kiss, and hold the World Cup. Salt Bae drops salt on meat, what is he doing there?”
Tanzanian entrepreneur Benjamin Fernandes Tweeted: “Salt Bae at the World Cup final is like that person who didn’t contribute to your group project then came to celebrate with the credit.”
The official account of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a knockout cup competition in men’s football in the United States, reacted to Salt Bae’s behavior at the World Cup final, saying: “Salt Bae is hereby banned from the 2023 Open Cup Final.”
The Guardian quoted FIFA as saying: “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.”
Salt Bae rose to prominence in 2017 when he became an internet meme after videos and pictures of him went viral for his distinct method of sprinkling salt on meat. He currently runs a chain of upscale steakhouses called Nusr-Et, where the head of FIFA Gianni Infantino has paid him several visits throughout the past couple of years.
