Fifa investigating how chef Salt Bae got on to World Cup final pitch

Fifa has launched an investigation into how social media influencer chef and restaurateur Salt Bae and others got access to the pitch after the World Cup final in Qatar.

The trophy is only supposed to be touched or held by a select group of people, including tournament winners and Fifa officials.

Gökçe went viral on social media in 2017 after a video showed his over the top method of preparing and seasoning steak in front of diners.

Since then he has established a chain of more than 20 restaurants. His west London eatery opened in September 2021, notoriously featuring a tomahawk steak wrapped in gold for £2,000.

David Beckham, Leonardo DiCaprio and the Venezeulan president, Nicolás Maduro, are among well-known diners to visit his restaurant.

Fifa head Gianni Infantino visited one of his restaurants in Dubai in January 2021, where he could be seen alongside Gökçe, mimicking his trademark salt seasoning pose.

Gökçe posted a video during the World Cup of him embracing Infantino, and he was later pictured in VIP seats alongside Brazil players Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu.