‘Sprinkling salt’ on the World Cup trophy: ‘Who brought the trophy to Salt Bay?’
After the final of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, apart from the players and officials celebrating the victorious Argentina, there was another familiar face on the pitch who had nothing to do with the match or Argentina.
The suit-booted man posed for photos and even got his hands on the prized World Cup trophy, which was handed to the winning players for just a few moments during the closing ceremony.
Under FIFA rules, no one unrelated can hold the trophy, but the man not only held the trophy and took pictures with it, but also posed in his famous style of sprinkling salt on it and even kissed it.
Then, in front of the camera, like a victorious Olympian, he held the gold medal of the footballers with his teeth.
There is an impression that the FIFA officials as well as the footballers are his friends who are allowing him to do all this.
This personality is none other than the Turkish celebrity chef Salt Bay whose real name is Nusrat Gokca. But such pictures and videos of him have given birth to a new controversy.
FIFA investigation into pitch access by Salt Bay and others
FIFA is investigating ‘unnecessary access’ to the pitch by Salt Bay and other unrelated parties.
Under FIFA rules, the World Cup trophy can only be held by a designated group, which includes the tournament’s winning team, FIFA officials and heads of state.
In a statement released to YBC Support, a FIFA spokesperson said: ‘Following a review, FIFA is trying to determine how certain individuals gained access to the pitch during the closing ceremony at Lucille Stadium on December 18, which was inappropriate. .’
A FIFA spokesperson has also said that “appropriate internal action will be taken” in this regard.
Salt Bay owns a chain of luxury restaurants around the world serving their style of steak. He became famous and became an internet meme in 2017 for his unique way of sprinkling salt on steak.
Many current and former footballers such as Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham have dined at his restaurant.
During the World Cup in November and December, he posted pictures and videos of himself with FIFA President Gianni Infantino on social media. In one photo, he is sitting with them in VIP seats, along with football legends Brazilians Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu.
He warms up to FIFA President Salt Bay in the video. In a video, he praises Salt Bay’s restaurant and says that ‘football united the world and Nusrat (Salt Bay) has also united the world.’
In another video, Gianni introduces Salt Bay to various people, including the King of Malaysia, and at one point says, “We’re both vegetarians.”
By the way, some pictures of Salt Bay with Lionel Messi have been posted on their social media accounts, but during the celebration of the Argentine players, in some scenes, it seems as if Messi is ignoring them. Or just confused.
