• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
FIFA president Gianni Infantino 'unfollows' Salt Bae on Instagram after World Cup final controversy

Home> Football

Updated 13:42 23 Dec 2022 GMTPublished 13:08 23 Dec 2022 GMT

FIFA president Gianni Infantino 'unfollows' Salt Bae on Instagram after World Cup final controversy

Gianni Infantino has unfollowed Salt Bae after FIFA launched an investigation into how the celebrity chef gained access to the World Cup.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Gianni Infantino appears to have unfollowed Salt Bae on Instagram after FIFA launched an investigation into how the celebrity chef was allowed entry to the pitch after the World Cup final.

Salt Bae, real name Nusret Gökçe, was seen rubbing shoulders with Argentina players and posing with the World Cup trophy.

He took a picture with Lionel Messi, though Argentina's captain did initially snub him on two occasions. Lisandro Martinez also looked unbelievably awkward taking a picture with the Turkish butcher.

Advert

And there was outrage over how Salt Bae was allowed to touch the 18-carat gold World Cup trophy, when the rules stipulate that it should only be former winners of the FIFA World Cup and heads of state.

After a period of silence, FIFA eventually issued a comment on the situation.

A statement given to journalist Tariq Panja on Thursday afternoon 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."

Advert

And according to Sky Sports president Kaveh Solhekol, FIFA president Infantino has since unfollowed Salt Bae on Instagram.

He previously followed just 303 people on the platform but that has dropped to 302 as Salt Bae's official account @nusr_et, with its 49.9 million followers, no longer comes up on his feed.

The two would appear to have a long-running friendship. In January 2021, Salt Bae posted a video of Infantino enjoying the food at his restaurant Dubai and Infantino did a piece to camera calling him a "legend" and "number one".

Advert

He said: “Mr Nusret, number one. The best of the best. An unforgettable evening here in Dubai with Nusret. I’ll come back.

"Legend, he’s a legend. Legend number one. Thank you very much.”

He also shared a snap of him with Infantino and football legends Ronaldo Nazario, Roberto Carlos and Cafu at a World Cup fixture.

Image: Instagram/@nusr_et
Image: Instagram/@nusr_et

Advert

From 26-28th December, watch all 10 Premier League games live, including Aston Villa vs Liverpool, Arsenal vs West Ham, Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest and more. Watch for free with a 30-day free trial to Prime!

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@nusr_et

Topics: Gianni Infantino, FIFA, Football World Cup

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

2 mins ago
an hour ago
3 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • Getty ImagesGetty Images
    2 mins ago

    Man Utd To Take Unprecedented Action After Missing Out on Champions League Money

    United failed to qualify for Europe after struggling last season.

    Football
  • GettyGetty
    an hour ago

    Jurgen Klopp Responds to Talk of Shock Return to Management

    The ex-Liverpool boss is wanted by a new club

    Football
  • GettyGetty
    3 hours ago

    Zinedine Zidane Set to Finally Manage Player He Tipped to 'Surpass Everyone' in Football

    Zizou has been linked with a return to the game and could take charge of a player he adores

    Football
  • GettyGetty
    12 hours ago

    Man City Take Rare Action to Boost Atmosphere vs Man United

    Manchester City have agreed to the request from their supporters for the derby with Manchester United.

    Football
  • FIFA Stripped Nation of Hosting World Cup After Israel Protest
  • FIFA president Gianni Infantino opens door for banned country to return to the World Cup
  • People can't get over what FIFA president Gianni Infantino did during Donald Trump's inauguration speech
  • FIFA Facing Calls to Strip United States of 2026 World Cup