Social Media Reacts as Video Emerges of Gianni Infantino at Salt Bae's Dubai Restaurant
- last year
Comedian Simon Brodkin led the ridicule and outrage on social media after a video re-surfaced of FIFA president Gianni Infantino visiting Salt Bae's restaurant in Dubai last year, in the wake of the celebrity chef's World Cup final antics.
Questions have been raised as to why the celebrity chef was allowed onto the pitch as Argentina players celebrated their World Cup triumph on Sunday.
Salt Bae, real name Nusret Gokce, broke FIFA rules by touching and holding the World Cup after Argentina beat France on penalties, with Lionel Messi and his teammates looking miffed by his presence.
'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,' a spokesperson told Sportsmail.
The video from January 2021 shows the chef performing his famed routine as he prepares the FIFA president's food before Infantino then sprinkles the salt over his meal.
Infantino is then shown saying: 'Mr. Nusret. Number one. The best of the best. An unforgettable evening in Dubai and I will come back. Legend - number one.'
Despite the very kind compliments in January 2021, it has been reported by Sky reporter Kaveh Solhekol that the FIFA president has unfollowed Salt Bae on Instagram.
Meanwhile, social media users have ripped into Infantino and Salt Bae in reaction to the video.
Jessica Oakes tweeted: 'Makes me cringe,' while Lee Johnson commented 'weird and weird together here.'
Twitter user Pritchy wrote: 'We can guarantee Infantino hasn't paid a penny for that meal.'
Football fan Ben White said: 'Neither of these people should be able to touch the World Cup.'
Eyebrows have been raised at the close relationship between the Turkish chef and FIFA president Infantino. Salt Bae was given a VVIP pass for the final by Infantino, despite him having no links or ties to football, the teams involved or the tournament itself.
Gokce was able to access the pitch at the Lusail Stadium and was pictured holding the trophy and posing for pictures with the iconic golden prize.
Football's governing body has a set of rules surrounding the World Cup trophy, with a very specific list of those allowed to touch it.
'Its current design dates back to 1974,' FIFA's website reads. 'As one of the most recognized sports symbols in the world and a priceless icon, the original FIFA World Cup Trophy can only be touched and held by a select group of people, including former winners of the FIFA World Cup and heads of state.'
Salt Bae, who does not meet any of the criteria outlined by FIFA, has openly promoted pictures of himself with the trophy on Instagram despite the blatant rule breach.
He was also seen desperately trying to join in Argentina's celebrations after their dramatic win over France, with a series of cringe-worthy videos showing his awkward attempts to hold the trophy and pose for pictures alongside the likes of Angel di Maria and Lis
Questions have been raised as to why the celebrity chef was allowed onto the pitch as Argentina players celebrated their World Cup triumph on Sunday.
Salt Bae, real name Nusret Gokce, broke FIFA rules by touching and holding the World Cup after Argentina beat France on penalties, with Lionel Messi and his teammates looking miffed by his presence.
'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,' a spokesperson told Sportsmail.
The video from January 2021 shows the chef performing his famed routine as he prepares the FIFA president's food before Infantino then sprinkles the salt over his meal.
Infantino is then shown saying: 'Mr. Nusret. Number one. The best of the best. An unforgettable evening in Dubai and I will come back. Legend - number one.'
Despite the very kind compliments in January 2021, it has been reported by Sky reporter Kaveh Solhekol that the FIFA president has unfollowed Salt Bae on Instagram.
Meanwhile, social media users have ripped into Infantino and Salt Bae in reaction to the video.
Jessica Oakes tweeted: 'Makes me cringe,' while Lee Johnson commented 'weird and weird together here.'
Twitter user Pritchy wrote: 'We can guarantee Infantino hasn't paid a penny for that meal.'
Football fan Ben White said: 'Neither of these people should be able to touch the World Cup.'
Eyebrows have been raised at the close relationship between the Turkish chef and FIFA president Infantino. Salt Bae was given a VVIP pass for the final by Infantino, despite him having no links or ties to football, the teams involved or the tournament itself.
Gokce was able to access the pitch at the Lusail Stadium and was pictured holding the trophy and posing for pictures with the iconic golden prize.
Football's governing body has a set of rules surrounding the World Cup trophy, with a very specific list of those allowed to touch it.
'Its current design dates back to 1974,' FIFA's website reads. 'As one of the most recognized sports symbols in the world and a priceless icon, the original FIFA World Cup Trophy can only be touched and held by a select group of people, including former winners of the FIFA World Cup and heads of state.'
Salt Bae, who does not meet any of the criteria outlined by FIFA, has openly promoted pictures of himself with the trophy on Instagram despite the blatant rule breach.
He was also seen desperately trying to join in Argentina's celebrations after their dramatic win over France, with a series of cringe-worthy videos showing his awkward attempts to hold the trophy and pose for pictures alongside the likes of Angel di Maria and Lis