The chef took over the golden trophy. FIFA investigates, fans protest

FIFA is investigating how celebrity chef Salt Bae and a number of other people gained ‘unauthorised access’ to pitch after World Cup final in Qatar, writes BBC.

Turkish chef Nusret Gokce aka Salt Bae is pictured holding and kissing the gold World Cup trophy while celebrating with Argentinian players right on the pitch. There was even a video on the celebrity chef’s Instagram in which Salt Bae repeatedly reaches for the trophy and tries to take it out of players’ hands for a while, or “salts” it in the gesture that made it virally famous.

However, FIFA rules state that only a “very select” group of people can hold the trophy, e.g. tournament winners, FIFA officials and heads of state.

A FIFA spokesman told BBC Sport: “We are now investigating how people gained unauthorized access to the pitch after the closing ceremony at Lusail Stadium on 18 December. Appropriate internal measures will be taken.’

Gokce is also seen in videos soliciting Argentine star Lionel Messi, repeatedly pulling his hand and wanting to take a picture with him. However, Messi ignores the chef most of the time. The media mentions numerous negative comments from fans on social media condemning Gokce’s overall behavior after the final match.

Gokce aka Salt Bae owns an upscale steakhouse chain and rose to fame in 2017 for his meat preparation and seasoning technique, which became a hit on the internet, especially his specific meat salting technique.

He himself soon became a celebrity and his restaurants were visited by some football stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham. However, his behavior often causes indignation – a few weeks ago, for example, he published a bill of nearly four million crowns for a single dinner at his restaurant in Abu Dhabi.

Salt Bae isn’t the only celebrity to have violated FIFA etiquette, writes The Sun. In 2014, singer Rihanna was photographed holding the trophy and later said she posed for a selfie with it.