Gianni Infantino is “dismayed” at being criticised for taking a selfie in view of Pele’s coffin at the Brazil legend’s wake on Monday.
The FIFA President was one of the guests who attended the 24-hour wake keep where the coffin of the football great was placed in the middle of the field for fans and family to pay their last respect.
Infantino, who was pictured taking a selfie with Pele’s former team-mates just metres from his coffin has subsequently come under fire of criticism.
Dismayed at the negative perception of his actions, he posted on Instagram: “Just landed from my trip to Brazil where I had the privilege to participate in the beautiful homage to Pele that took place at Vila Belmiro, in Santos.
“I am dismayed after having been informed that I am apparently being criticised by some people for having taken a selfie and pictures at the ceremony yesterday [Monday].
“I would like to clarify that I was both honoured and humbled that team-mates and family members of the great Pele asked me if I could take a few photos with them. And obviously I immediately agreed.
In the case of the selfie, Pele’s team-mates 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 photo of one of them and took the photo of all of us for him.
“If being helpful to a team-mate of Pele 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 Pele and for that ceremony yesterday [Monday] that I would never do anything that would be disrespectful in any way whatsoever
Earlier toy Monday, Infantino has hinted on the desire of FIFA to ask every country member to name one stadium after Pele.
The 82-year-old football legend was buried at the Memorial Necropole Ecumenica, a vertical cemetery of a high-rise block just 200 metres away from the santos stadium on Tuesday.