– Another absurdity, wrote New York Times reporter Tariq Panja and posted a photo of “Salt Bae” holding the World Cup trophy after Argentina’s win against France on Sunday.

In fact, the stunt may have been a violation of FIFA’s own rules. The International Football Association writes as follows website:

– As one of the world’s most recognizable sporting symbols, and a priceless icon, the original World Cup trophy can only be touched and held by a select group of people that includes former World Cup winners and heads of state.

NRK has tried to seek comment from FIFA regarding possible breaches of the rules, but has so far been unsuccessful.

Reactions have been pouring in on the Turkish internet celebrity since he posted the photo on his Instagram account late Sunday.

«Salt Bae” was slaughtered for breaking FIFA World Cup rules» wrote British The Mirror, which was one of several newspapers to cover the episode.

– Don’t understand

There has also been critical feedback on social media towards the chef who is world famous for his special way of sprinkling salt.

WC NRK expert Kristoffer Løkberg found that Goekce suddenly appeared in the middle of the event after a very dramatic finale.

– I don’t understand what he’s doing there. What was he doing there during the festivities? You’ve accomplished the greatest thing possible as a footballer, and then he has to step down and interfere… I don’t understand, said Løkberg.

The World Cup trophy is considered perhaps the most valuable in the world of sport. The 36.5-centimeter and six-kilogram trophy, of which nearly five kilograms consists of pure 18-carat gold, is said to have an estimated production value of around NOK 2.3 million.

FIFA regulations do their part to protect both the mystique and exclusivity of the World Cup trophy.

Professor: – Off rule

Matti Goksøyr, professor of history in the Department of Sport and Social Sciences at the Norwegian Academy of Sport, believes it is completely normal. that major sports organizations introduce their own rules to make their products exclusive and important.

– Here, knowing that no one else is allowed to touch the trophy, it’s about making it something special and big, he told NRK.

The professor pointed out that the original World Cup trophy was a walking trophy and had long been awarded to the first country to win three World Cup titles (Brazil won the Jules Rimet trophy in 1970), and then they had to create a new one. .

– Then I can well imagine that they have added rules like that to make the trophies more exclusive. But the rules are one thing, what you do in reality is another, and sports managers are weak against celebrities. I can well imagine that this is an inactive rule, he said Goksøyr.

– Don’t you think the dissatisfaction is rooted in the fact that many people are worried about respecting the historical symbol of the real World Cup trophy?

– Yes, it could be that too. This may sound cynical to me but I think you have to have some perspective on things. This had happened before, and the world had not ended because of it, he replied.

Rihanna: – I took the trophy

This is not the first time such cases have surfaced after the World Cup finals. In 2014, when Germany won the trophy in Brazil, the German national team ended up partying with pop star Rihanna after the game.

There was backlash when, the following day, photos emerged of Rihanna holding the trophy.

– I touched the cup, I held the cup, I kissed the cup and I took a selfie with the cup. I mean… What does YOUR “wish list” look like, the artist wrote on Twitter afterward.

He’s not the only one. The German and international press was inundated with images of the girlfriends and acquaintances of the players who could hold the tangible evidence of a World Cup win.

In 2018, the trophy also visited Norway.

Aftenposten wrote that Egil “Drillo” Olsen, the former manager of the Norwegian national team, had been “clearly told” that he was not allowed to touch her.

Drillo chose, unlike Salt Bae, to honor the wish.

According to FIFA’s website, World Cup winners are only allowed to keep their original trophy for a limited period of time, before having to return it. Then the winning country will be awarded a smaller gold weight edition of the tournament which will be engraved with the year, name of the host country and previous winners.