This is how Infantino justifies his tasteless action on Pelé’s coffin
Fifa President Gianni Infantino (left) in his controversial snapshot with former Santos player Lima
Those: pa/dpa/AP/Andre Penner
Gianni Infantino has defended a selfie he took in the FC Santos stadium, in the immediate vicinity of the coffin with Pele lying in state. The president of the world football association Fifa wrote on social media that he was dismayed that some people were criticizing him for it. Teammates and family members of “the great Pelé” asked if he could take some photos with them – “and of course I said yes immediately,” explained Infantino. Pelé died last Thursday at the age of 82 after suffering from cancer and was laid out in his old club’s stadium on Monday.
More than 230,000 fans passed the coffin, as reported by the G1 news portal. Among others, the Brazilian head of state Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva paid his last respects to the exceptional player.
Infantino had photographed himself with former Santos professional Lima using his smartphone, which provoked sharp criticism. General tenor: an outrageous disrespect and further tastelessness that would once again scratch the reputation of the 52-year-old Fifa boss.
Pelé’s teammates asked him to do it, but didn’t know how to do it, Infantino explained: “To help them, I took the cell phone from one of them and took the picture of all of us for him.” He has so much respect and admiration for Pelé, “that I would never do anything that would be in any way disrespectful.”
He also announced that the pitch at FIFA headquarters in Zurich would be called “Estádio Pelé – FIFA Zurich”. During his visit on Monday, Infantino said Fifa would ask all 211 football associations around the world to name a stadium after Pele.
Pele had bought his tomb while he was still alive
Pelé found her final resting place after a mourning procession lasting several hours through the streets of the port city of Santos. Military police officers in gala uniform carried the coffin into the Memorial Necropole Ecumênica high-rise cemetery on Tuesday. The three-time world champion was buried there with his family.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the memorial is the tallest cemetery building in the world. The resting place in the Marapé district has around 16,000 tombs on 14 floors. The building has suites, a chapel and a restaurant and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Pelé had already chosen his burial place during his lifetime, on the ninth floor, based on his jersey number, which had become legendary thanks to him. The family still wanted to decide when the area would be open to the public.
The coffin had previously been laid out on the roof of a fire engine and driven through the streets of Santos. Scores of fans cheered the motorcade and waved flags from Pelé’s longtime club FC Santos. The convoy also passed the home of Pelé’s 100-year-old mother. Pelé’s sister Maria Lúcia appeared on the balcony, waving at fans and making a heart shape with her hands.
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The “king” of football is dead. Brazil’s icon Pelé died at the age of 82. He shaped the sport like no other. Now the world says goodbye.
Source: WELT/ Sandra Saatmann
