FIFA has admitted that Salt Bae should not have been on the pitch after the World Cup final.
The famous restaurateur was seen holding the trophy and pestering Argentina players to take pictures with him after the 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 heavily criticized on social media for trying 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 unauthorized and that FIFA guidelines state that only World Cup winners and heads of state can touch the trophy during the closing ceremony .
According to the rules on FIFA’s website: “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, who includes former FIFA World Cup winners and heads of state.”
FIFA is conducting an investigation into the circumstances that led to Salt Bae, real name Nusret Gokce, ending up on the pitch, Sky Sports News reports.
A FIFA spokesman said: “Following a review, FIFA has been establishing how individuals gained improper access to the pitch following the closing ceremony at Lusail Stadium on 18 December. will take the appropriate internal measures.”
Since the World Cup final, a video has emerged of FIFA president Gianni Infantino having his steak cut by Salt Bae and mimicking his famous seasoning technique at his restaurant in Dubai.
Salt Bae was one of Infantino’s 303 Instagram followers as of 6 p.m. Thursday, but as of 7:15 p.m. Thursday, he had been unfollowed.
Awkward scenes followed Argentina’s penalty shootout victory on Sunday as the chef was filmed harassing players who appeared bemused by his presence.
Lionel Messi was repeatedly seen trying to get away from Gokce after he grabbed the PSG star in an attempt to take a picture.
Angel di Maria and Lisandro Martinez seemed equally confused by the chef’s appearance.
Salt Bae gained worldwide fame in 2017 after a video of him showing off his extravagant 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 campaigners over its “selling golden steaks for over £1,000”, which the group said it was “symbolic of a broken system”.