Fifa President Gianni Infantino unfollows his pal Salt Bae on Instagram after invading the World Cup final pitch
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has unfollowed his pal Salt Bae following his shameful antics after the World Cup final.
His snub came after the world governing body admitted the glory-hungry chef should never have been allowed on the pitch to harass Lionel Messi.
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The Turkish chef – whose real name is Nusret Gökçe – has been friends with Fifa President Infantino for years.
They have been pictured together several times and the football boss has gushed about his praise for the flamboyant Instagram star.
During the World Cup, Infantino was filmed introducing Salt Bae to a number of VIPs, including the King of Malaysia, at an elegant official reception.
The pair were also pictured together in a VIP box alongside Brazilian legends Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu.
Infantino also visited Gökçe’s steakhouse Nusr-Et in Doha, where he was filmed hugging the chef.
And he said: “Football unites the world and Nusret also unites the world.”
Infantino was also filmed mimicking Salt Bae’s salt shaker gimmick in a chilling video at his Dubai restaurant in 2020.
He gushed: “He’s number one. The meat here is amazing.
“Food is like football – it’s heart, it’s emotion, it’s love – all the ingredients we can find here thanks to this man.”
In another video in 2021, Infantino said: “Mr Nusret, number one. The best of the best. An unforgettable evening here in Dubai with Nusret. I will come back.
“Legend, he is a legend. Legend number one. Many Thanks.”
Another snap shows Infantino grinning while holding up a Christmas jumper with Salt Bae knitted into it.
And he was pictured in a Salt Bea brand apron, holding a piece of meat, apparently during a private cooking lesson.
However, the bromance appears to be over today after he unfollowed Salt Bae on Instagram.
Infantino used to be followed by 303 accounts, but now it’s down to 302.
And Salt Bae’s official account @nusr_et — which has 49.9 million followers — has disappeared from his feed.
It comes after Fifa last night finally responded to the embarrassing scenes on the pitch following Argentina’s nerve-wracking victory on Sunday night.
Gökçe was spotted at least twice grabbing Messi’s shoulder as the stunned megastar tried to shake him off.
The chef, who wears a FIFA security badge, also interfered in Argentina’s celebrations, snatching the trophy from a winner’s baby and biting the players’ medals.
Gökçe not only spoiled the celebrations and teased the champions, but also broke strict Fifa rules by foot-smacking and kissing the trophy.
Only a select group will be allowed to handle the £17million gold icon, including former winners and heads of state.
The chef faced angry backlash from his own fans over his attention-grabbing antics at the World Cup final.
And Fifa was forced into a humiliating admission last night as anger at his behavior mounted around the world.
It said Gökçe should not have been on the pitch and that he would discipline staff as part of an official investigation.
The governing body said: “Following a review, Fifa has identified how individuals were present after the Closing Ceremony at Lusail Stadium on March 18.
“Appropriate internal measures will be taken.”
Fifa sources reportedly deny that Gökçe was personally invited onto the pitch by Infantino.
Salt Bae has now also been banned from participating in the US Open Cup, the English FA Cup equivalent, following the shameful scenes in Qatar.
Organizers tweeted, “Salt Bae is hereby disqualified from the 2023 US Open Cup Finals.”
The US Open Cup is a knockout competition involving teams from the MLS and other national tournaments.
Salt Bae has brushed aside criticism of his behavior – instead continuing to try to show his closeness to football icons.
He released an old video of him hugging Messi while visiting his steakhouse in Dubai in 2018.
And another video shows his shrine to the late Diego Maradona with a table that is “permanently reserved.”
That was although Maradona Salt Bae ridiculed with a hilarious swipe at his “sprinkle” gesture to the face.
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https://www.the-sun.com/sport/6980552/salt-bae-gianni-infantino-instagram-unfollow-fifa/ Fifa President Gianni Infantino unfollows his pal Salt Bae on Instagram after invading the World Cup final pitch