Not again! Salt Bae arrives at the Champions League final after criticism of his celeb-chasing antics at the World Cup – in which he broke FIFA rules by touching the trophy
Notorious Turkish restauranteur Salt Bae has been spotted at the Champions League final, months after his antics at the World Cup final.
It is not the first time Salt Bae has been spotted at a Champions League final, as he was previously seen posing with Sergio Ramos after Real Madrid‘s win in 2018.
The chef rose to fame on social media and has previously served the likes of David Beckham and Kylian Mbappe.
Questions were raised in December after he was allowed on the pitch in Qatar and broke protocol by touching the trophy after Argentina’s historic victory.
He is believed to be a close friend of Gianni Infantino, which perhaps explains his access to such high profile sporting events.
Salt Bae has been spotted at the Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan
The Turkish restaurateur came under fire during the World Cup final after touching the trophy
Numerous posts on Twitter have shown the chef arriving at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, ahead of this evening’s UCL final between Manchester City and Inter Milan.
Fans will be hoping to avoid a repeat of his antics at the Lusail Stadium.
Not only did Salt Bae hold and even kiss the famous trophy, he also repeatedly pestered Messi, pulling him back by the shoulder until the star realised a quick handshake was the only way to get rid of him.
Aside from any unwanted celebrity presence in the stands, Saturday’s season-defining final got underway at 8pm.
For Man City, victory would make them just the second team in English football to achieve the treble, having already secured the Premier League and FA Cup trophies.
Pep Guardiola’s side have lost just once in their past 22 games, and will be desperate to win the one trophy that has eluded them in his time at the club.
In their way stand Inter Milan, who are hunting a double after winning the Coppa Italia earlier this season.
The Nerazzurri are definite underdogs but have won the Champions League three times in their history, most recently as part of their own treble win in 2010.
Their manager, Simone Inzaghi, is something of a Cup final specialist after winning seven at Inter and Lazio.
Salt Bae pestered Messi in Qatar and would not leave him alone until they shared a handshake
He previously made an appearance after Real Madrid’s win in the 2018 Champions League final
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