Why I Took Selfie At Pele’s Ceremony - Infantino Replies Critics
Category: Sports News
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino has replied critics who criticized him for
taking selfie at a ceremony for the late football legend, Pele.
The
FIFA president took to his Instagram page to express his displeasure at the
barrage of criticism that greeted his action.
READ: FIFA To Ask Every Country To Name Stadium After Pele
“Just landed from my
trip to Brazil where I had the privilege to participate in the beautiful homage
to Pelé that took place at Vila Belmiro, in Santos.
“I am dismayed
after having been informed that I am apparently being criticized by some people
for having taken a selfie and pictures at the ceremony yesterday.
“I
would like to clarify that I was both honored and humbled that teammates and
family members of the great Pelé asked me if I could take a few photos with
them. And obviously I immediately agreed,” he said.
READ: FIFA President, Infantino Storm Nigeria For Aisha Buhari’s Tournament (Photos)
In the case of
the selfie, he explained that “Pelé’s teammates asked to do a selfie of all of
us together but they didn’t know how to do it. So, to be helpful, I took the
phone of one of them and took the photo of all of us for him.
“If
being helpful to a teammate of Pelé creates criticism I’m happy to take it and
will continue to be helpful wherever I can to those having contributed to write
legendary pages of football.
“I have so much respect and admiration
for Pelé and for that ceremony yesterday that I would never do anything that
would be disrespectful in any way whatsoever.”
READ: Family of Murdered Nigerian Footballer Pleads With FIFA To Ban Nigeria
Infantino added: “I
hope that those who published or said things without knowing and without seeking
information could have the decency and courage to admit they were wrong and
correct what they said.
“The most important in any case is to pay
tribute to King Pelé, and whilst I humbly suggested that throughout our 211
member associations at least one football stadium or venue is named after him,
we will set the example by giving the pitch in our headquarters the name
“Estádio Pelé – FIFA Zürich”. Um abraço e viva o Rei!”
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