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Chef Holds World Cup Trophy on the Field


Nusret Gokce, right, puts his hand on the shoulder of Argentina's Lionel Messi end of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022.
Nusret Gokce, right, puts his hand on the shoulder of Argentina's Lionel Messi end of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022.

FIFA is launching an investigation into how celebrity Turkish chef Nusret Gokce -- better known as "Salt Bae" -- was able to get on the field after Argentina’s epic win over France Sunday and actually hold the World Cup, a seismic breach of protocol.

On the world soccer body’s website, the trophy is described as “one of the greatest symbols in sport” that “can only be touched and held by a very select group of people, which includes former winners of the FIFA World Cup and heads of state.”

FIFA said it “has been establishing how individuals gained undue access to the pitch after the closing ceremony at Lusail stadium on Dec. 18.” It said once a review is finished, “The appropriate internal action will be taken.”

Some information in this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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