FIFA investigating Salt Bae for irritating Argentinian players
Argentinian footballers, including Messi, attempted to dodge the unwanted attention.
FIFA are investigating into how celebrity chef - Nusret Gokce dubbed Salt Bae - gained "undue access" to the pitch after the World Cup final where he posed for photos with very surprised Argentina players - and, with irritated Lionel Messi.
Salt Bae was pictured holding and kissing the trophy after Argentina's win in Qatar against France. He was criticized for grabbing Messi's arm - twice.
Messi told Salt Bae no twice while he's trying to hug his family, guy chased and grabbed him again. What a prick. Only time I saw Messi angry in the last hour. pic.twitter.com/6nBPifUtLz
— billary (@iambillary) December 18, 2022
The chef was also photographed with Angel di Maria and Lisandro Martinez, in addition to biting into another player's medal.
Salt Bae needs to be stopped pic.twitter.com/m6u9NIhs2X
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 20, 2022
FIFA's rules state the World Cup trophy can only be held by the tournament's winners, FIFA officials and heads of state.
"Following a review, FIFA has been establishing how individuals gained undue access to the pitch after the closing ceremony at Lusail Stadium on December 18," a spokesman told the BBC. "The appropriate internal action will be taken."
Gokce owns luxury restaurants in Turkey, the United States, and the United Kingdom, known for his meme-Esque ways of cutting and seasoning meat in his restaurants.