FIFA finally admits to what everyone knows – Salt Bae’s presence on the World Cup pitch after Argentina’s win was unauthorized.

The famed restauranteur, whose name is Nusret Gokce, infamously climbed onto the field, pestered players, and held the trophy – all against strict rules.

Since then, Gokce has been banned from the US Open Cup finals to avoid a repeat of the influencer’s outrageous behavior.

Music festival Rolling Loud has also banned Clown Bae for life.

But it’s taken until now for FIFA to acknowledge that the so-called “Salt Bae” was not supposed to be on the pitch at all. And the governing body’s tight-lipped response to Gokce’s behavior may be due to his favoritism with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Since the outrage at the final, a video has emerged of Infantino having a steak sliced by Gokce and mimicking his famed seasoning move.

Awkward.