Fifa are investigating how celebrity chef Salt Bae gained "undue access" to the pitch after the World Cup final where he enthusiastically posed for photos with surprised Argentina players including a bemused and irritated Lionel Messi.
Salt Bae, whose real name is Nusret Gokce, was pictured holding and kissing the trophy after Argentina beat France in Sunday's final in Qatar.
The Turkish entrepreneur was photographed with Angel di Maria, Lisandro Martinez and even seen sinking his teeth into another player's medal.
Fifa describes the trophy as “a priceless icon” which “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.”
“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,” the world football body said. “The appropriate internal action will be taken.”
The chef, who has a restaurant in Doha, had VIP access during the World Cup and posted photos and video clips on social media.
After Argentina’s win in a penalty shootout following a thrilling 3-3 draw, he was filmed grabbing the arm of captain Lionel Messi on the field to get his attention. The Argentine great seemed irritated in the film clip though later posed for a photo that Salt Bae posted on Instagram.
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Lionel Messi holds up the trophy after Argentina defeated France on penalties in the World Cup final at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, on Sunday, December 18, 2022. AP -
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after beating France. AP -
France's Kylian Mbappe walks past the trophy at the end of the match. AP -
Argentina's Lionel Messi holds up the Golden Ball award for best player of the tournament. AP -
Argentina celebrate victory at Lusail Stadium. Getty -
Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the trophy after beating France 4-2 on penalties. EPA -
Argentina celebrate victory. AP -
Argentina captain Lionel Messi celebrates with World Cup trophy. PA -
Kylian Mbappe of France with his Golden Boot award for finishing as the tournament's top scorer. EPA -
Argentina players celebrate after winning the World Cup final penalty shoot-out against France. Getty -
Argentina players celebrate victory. Getty -
Argentina's Lautaro Martinez and Lionel Messi celebrate after winning the World Cup. Reuters -
Argentina's Leandro Paredes celebrates scoring the winning penalty against France. Getty -
Argentina's Leandro Paredes celebrates scoring during the penalty shoot-out against France. Reuters -
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saves from Kingsley Coman of France in the penalty shoot-out. Getty -
Lionel Messi scores for Argentina in the penalty shoot-out. Getty -
Emiliano Martinez of Argentina celebrates after saving Kingsley Coman's penalty. Getty -
Kylian Mbappe completes his hat-trick from the spot to make it 3-3. Getty -
Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his, and France's, third goal. Getty -
Lionel Messi scores Argentina's third goal. Getty -
Lionel Messi celebrates scoring Argentina's third goal. Getty -
Lionel Messi scores Argentina's third goal. Reuters -
Lionel Messi celebrates scoring Argentina's third goal. PA -
Argentina's Lionel Messi goes for a high challenge on Eduardo Camavinga of France. Getty -
Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after scoring Argentina's third. AFP -
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is beaten by the penalty of France's Kylian Mbappe. Getty -
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring France's second goal. PA -
Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi fouls Randal Kolo Muani of France giving away a penalty. Getty -
Kylian Mbappe volleys home France's second goal. Getty -
Argentina attacker Angel Di Maria skips past the challenge of France's Antoine Griezmann. PA -
Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the first France goal. Getty -
Kylian Mbappe scores France's first goal from the penalty spot. Reuters -
Angel Di Maria celebrates scoring Argentina's second goal. Reuters -
Argentina's Lionel Messi sends France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way from the spot. Getty -
France's Kylian Mbappe with Lionel Messi of Argentina. Getty -
Angel Di Maria scores for Argentina in the first-half. Getty -
France's Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Adrien Rabiot after Argentina made it 2-0. PA -
Argentina's Angel Di Maria celebrates after scoring with France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris on his knees. Reuters -
Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico and Randal Kolo Muani fight for the ball. AP -
Angel Di Maria celebrates after scoring for Argentina. Getty -
Lionel Messi is mobbed by Argentina teammates after scoring. Getty -
France's Jules Kounde heads the ball. AP -
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring for Argentina. Getty -
Argentina attacker Angel Di Maria earns a penalty after going down under the challenge of France's Ousmane Dembele. Getty -
France's Olivier Giroud shakes hands with manager Didier Deschamps after being substituted in the first half. PA -
Lionel Messi scores from the spot for Argentina. PA -
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a first-half penalty for Argentina. Getty -
France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saves from Argentina's Julian Alvarez. AP -
France manager Didier Deschamps, left, with his Argentina counterpart Lionel Scaloni before the game. AP -
Argentina players before the match. AP -
France players before the match. Getty
