The world football association Fifa has launched an investigation into the well-known chef Salt Bae, who was on the field with the Argentine players after the final of the World Cup in Qatar and was able to take selfies with the World Cup.
Video footage shows how Turkish chef Nusret Gökçe – the real name of the man behind the internet meme Salt Bae and owner of the Nusr-Et restaurant chain – suddenly appeared on the field to receive the trophy after the World Cup final in Qatar of the Argentines.
He will appear alongside Ángel Di Maria and Lisandro Martinez, among others. In the latter he tries to grab the trophy from the footballer’s hands. He can later be seen pulling out his salt-sprinkling gesture, which the chef became known for on social media. Other images also show him grabbing Argentine captain Lionel Messi to get his attention.
Photo: Niviere David/abacapress.com
According to FIFA regulations, the World Cup can only be held by a select group of winning players and officials of the World Football Association. So what the Turkish cook did was forbidden according to the union. “Following an investigation, FIFA has determined how individuals were unfairly brought onto the pitch following the closing ceremony at Lusail Stadium on December 18,” it said in a statement. “Appropriate internal action will be taken.”
Fifa boss Gianni Infantino visited another one of Gökçe’s restaurants in Dubai in January last year, where he could be seen standing next to the chef as he mimicked his signature pose. “Mr. Nusrat, number one, the best of the best,” Infantino said in a video posted online afterwards. ‘Unforgettable evening in Dubai.’
