FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said he was simply being helpful by posing for a selfie while standing near Pele’s open casket during the lying-in-state of the Brazilian football icon this week.
Infantino was among the thousands to pay their respects to Pele after his body was placed in the center of the pitch at the Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos. The venue is home to the club where Pele spent the vast majority of his legendary career.
But Infantino faced accusations of disrespect after images circulated online showing him smiling while taking a selfie, with Pele’s coffin visible just a few feet away. The criticism prompted the FIFA chief to hit back in a message on Instagram on Tuesday, in which he explained that he was merely responding to a request for a photo by Pele’s family and former teammates.
“I am dismayed having been informed that I am
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