Salt Bae has been banned from a major soccer tournament following the Qatar World Cup.
The Turkish chef — whose real name is Nusret Gokce — broke a key Fifa rule after making his way onto the pitch after Argentina’s win over France in the final, and he even held and kissed the iconic trophy as he posed with the players.
According to Fifa rules, the 18-carat gold trophy can only be touched by winners of the tournament and heads of state.
The rules state: “The original Fifa World Cup trophy can only be touched and held by a very select group of people, which includes former winners of the Fifa World Cup and heads of state.”
Now, he has been barred from attending the US Open Cup final, which is the longest-running soccer tournament in the United States.
The Cup’s official Twitter account tweeted this week: “Salt Bae is hereby banned from the 2023 @opencup Final.”
Salt Bae gained his nickname after a video of him at one of his restaurants pouring salt down his arm onto a steak when viral in 2017.
His antics at the final didn’t seem to go down too well with the players, as Lionel Messi appeared to be trying to get away from him after he grabbed his arm.
And his teammate Lisandro Martinez didn’t look impressed as he posed for a picture with him and the World Cup trophy.
Meanwhile, Argentina had to abandon plans for a victory bus tour of Buneos Aires over security concerns after a fan jumped onto the vehicle as it passed under a bridge.
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| Salt Bae Banned From Major Soccer Tournament After World Cup Antics |
“They made that decision after verifying that they could not continue advancing by bus in the middle of the crowd.”
Qatar World Cup: FIFA Admits Restaurateur Salt Bae Should Not Have Been On the Pitch After Final:
World football's governing body is investigating how the celebrity chef ended up on the pitch in Qatar, where he handled the trophy and was filmed hassling players who seemed baffled by his presence.
FIFA have admitted Salt Bae should not have been on the pitch after the World Cup final. The celebrity restaurateur was seen holding the trophy and pestering Argentina players for photographs after their 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 widely criticised on social media for attempting 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 unauthorised and that FIFA guidelines state that only World Cup winners and heads of state are allowed to touch the trophy during the closing ceremony.
According to the rules on FIFA's website: "As one of the most recognised sports symbols in the world and a priceless icon, the original FIFA World Cup Trophy can only be touched and held by a very select group of people, which includes former winners of the FIFA World Cup and heads of state."
FIFA are now conducting an investigation into the circumstances which led up to Salt Bae, real name Nusret Gokce, ending up on the pitch, Sky Sports News reports.
A spokesperson for FIFA said: "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. The appropriate internal action will be taken."
Since the World Cup final, a video has emerged of FIFA president Gianni Infantino having his steak sliced by Salt Bae and then mimicking his famous seasoning technique at his restaurant in Dubai.
Salt Bae was one of Infantino's 303 Instagram followers at 6pm on Thursday, but as of 7.15pm on Thursday had been unfollowed.
Awkward scenes ensued in the aftermath of Argentina's victory on penalties on Sunday as the chef was filmed hassling players who seemed baffled by his presence.
Lionel Messi was seen repeatedly trying to shake off Mr Gokce after he grabbed the PSG star to try to take a photograph.
Angel di Maria and Lisandro Martinez seemed similarly confused by the chef's appearance.
Salt Bae gained worldwide fame in 2017 after a video of him showing off his flamboyant 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 activists over his "selling gold-plated steaks for more than £1,000", which the group said was "symbolic of a broken system".
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