– Another absurdity, wrote New York Times reporter Tariq Panja and posted a picture of “Salt Bae” holding the World Cup trophy after Argentina’s victory against France on Sunday. In fact, the stunt may be a breach of Fifa’s own rules. The International Football Confederation writes the following on its website: – As one of the most recognized sporting symbols in the world, and a priceless icon, the original World Cup trophy can only be touched and held by a very select group of people which includes former World Cup winners and heads of state . news has tried to get a comment from Fifa regarding the possible rule breach, but has so far been unsuccessful. This picture has caused debate after the final. Photo: Screenshot / Instagram Reactions have been pouring in on the Turkish internet celebrity since he posted the photo on his Instagram account on Sunday evening. “Salt Bae” was slaughtered for breaking Fifa’s World Cup rule,” writes the British The Mirror, which is one of several newspapers that discuss the episode. – Don’t get it Social media is also flooded with critical feedback against the chef who has become world famous for his special way of sprinkling salt. news’s WC expert Kristoffer Løkberg found out that Goekce suddenly appeared in the center of events after the highly dramatic final. – I don’t understand what he is doing there in the first place. What the hell is he doing down there during a celebration? You have achieved the greatest thing that is possible to achieve as a footballer, and then he has to go down and interfere… I don’t understand it, says Løkberg. This trophy is perhaps the most prestigious in the sporting world. Photo: HANNAH MCKAY / Reuters The WC trophy is considered to be perhaps the most prized in the sporting world. The 36.5-centimeter-high and six-kilogram trophy, of which almost five kilograms consists of pure 18-karat gold, is said to have an estimated production value of around NOK 2.3 million. Fifa’s regulations do their part to protect both the mystique and exclusivity of the World Cup trophy. Professor: – A sleeping rule Matti Goksøyr, professor of history at the Department of Sport and Social Sciences at the Norwegian University of Sport, believes that it is quite common for the big sports organizations to introduce their own rules to make their product exclusive and important. – Here, knowing that no one else is allowed to touch the trophy, it’s about making this something special and big, he says to news. The professor points out that the original World Cup trophy was a walking trophy and has long since 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 such rules to make the trophy more exclusive. But the rules are one thing, what you do in reality is another, and sports managers are weak for celebrities. I can well imagine that this is a dormant rule, says Goksøyr. – Don’t you think the dissatisfaction is rooted in the fact that many people are concerned about respecting historical symbols the World Cup trophy actually is? – Yes, it could well be that too. This may sound cynical of me, but I think you have to have some perspective on things. This has happened before, and the world has not ended because of it, he replies. Rihanna: – I took the trophy It is not the first time that such cases have arisen in the wake of WC 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 were strong reactions when, the next day, loads of photos emerged of Rihanna holding the trophy. – I touched the trophy, I held the trophy, I kissed the trophy and I took a selfie with the trophy. I mean… What does YOUR “bucket list” look like, the artist wrote on Twitter afterwards. She wasn’t the only one. The German and international press was flooded with images of the players’ girlfriends and acquaintances being able to hold the visible proof of the World Cup triumph. Germany’s Mario Götze (tv) and Sami Khedira let their girlfriends Ann-Kathrin Broemmel and Lena Gercke touch the trophy after the final in 2014. Photo: Montasje / NTB In 2018, the trophy also visited Norway. Aftenposten writes that Egil “Drillo” Olsen, Norway’s former national team manager, “was clearly informed” that he was not allowed to touch it. Drillo chose, unlike Salt Bae, to respect the wish. According to Fifa’s website, the World Cup winners are only allowed to keep the original trophy for a limited period of time, before it must be returned. Then the winning country will instead be awarded a smaller gold-heavy tournament edition which will be engraved with the year, the host country’s name and previous winners.
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