Fifa boss Gianni Infantino appears to take selfie next to Pele’s coffin as fans form 1km queue for Brazil icon’s funeral
GIANNI INFANTINO appeared to take a selfie while standing by Pele's open casket.
The Fifa president has been in Santos for the great Brazilian's funeral.
Fans formed a queue of over 1km to pay their respects to the man labelled "The King".
Infantino, 52, was pictured offering condolences to Pele's devastated widow Marcia Aoki.
Shortly after doing so, he was snapped appearing to smile for a selfie by Pele's coffin.
Infantino was taking a picture alongside Pele's former Santos team-mate Lima.
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And the Uefa chief was forced to take to Instagram to explain his actions.
: "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 honoured 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.
"In the case of the selfie, 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.
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"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."
Pele, who died aged 82 last Thursday, was laid in an open casket in the middle of the pitch at Santos' Vila Belmiro Stadium.
In addition to Infantino, the chiefs of Brazil's and South America's football federations were present.
Infantino also offered condolences to Pele's son Edinho.
Amid the period of mourning, the Fifa president revealed that he would be asking every country to make a special gesture for the late three-time World Cup winner.
He said: "We’re going to ask every country to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele.
"We’re here with great sadness. Pele is eternal. He’s a global icon of football.
"Future generations have to know and remember who Pele was."
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Following the 24 hour mourning period, Pele's funeral procession will pass through the streets of Sao Paulo later today - including past the house of his mum Celeste, 100.
He will then be laid to rest in a private ceremony.
