Salt Bae reportedly made FIFA feel salty.
After Argentina defeated France in Sunday’s World Cup final in Qatar, Salt Bae, the Turkish chef who became an internet meme in 2017, was seen on the pitch at Lusail Stadium in the midst of the Albiceleste’s championship celebrations . The famous chef took pictures with Argentine players and on several occasions he too managed to hold the prestigious World Cup trophy.
But it turns out that Salt Bae didn’t actually have permission to be in the field.
FIFA announced on Thursday it was investigating how Salt Bae and others gained “improper access” to the pitch. Football’s world governing body added that the World Cup trophy is an “invaluable icon” that “can only be touched and held by a very select group of people, including former FIFA World Cup winners and state leaders”.
“Following the review, FIFA has established how individuals gained improper access to the pitch following the closing ceremony at Lusail Stadium on 18 December,” FIFA said. “Corresponding internal measures will be taken.”
At one point during the Argentina celebration, Salt Bae was involved in a viral moment with Lionel Messi. Salt Bae tried several times to get the legendary footballer’s attention, even grabbing his arm, but Messi seemed uninterested in an interaction.
The two eventually snapped a photo together which Salt Bae posted to Instagram.
Salt Bae was a regular visitor to FIFA VIP access during the World Cup, according to The Associated Press. One of the many restaurants he owns is located in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
WHAT IS SALT BAE’S REAL NAME?
Salt Bae’s real name is Nusret Gökçe. She is 39 years old.
HOW MANY RESTAURANTS DOES SALT BAE HAVE?
Salt Bae owns 22 steakhouses around the world called “Nusr-Et”. There are seven in the United States (Boston, Dallas, Miami, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and two in New York), as well as offices in England, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The Nusr-Et website shows that celebrities such as Mark Wahlberg and David Beckham are among those who stopped in for a bite to eat.
HOW MUCH IS A BAE SALE STEAK?
With clients like Wahlberg and Beckham, it’s no surprise that Nusr-Et’s menu is more expensive.
A menu on OpenTable from one of Nusr-Et’s New York City locations lists an Ottoman steak for $190 and a tomahawk steak for $275. There’s even a tomahawk steak wrapped in 24-karat gold for $1,100.
