JAKARTA - FIFA president, Gianni Infantino was heavily criticized for his actions during the Pele funeral procession. This was because Infantino was caught taking a selfie in front of the legend's coffin.
Pele's body was then buried on Monday, January 2. His body was taken from Albert Einstein Hospital to Estadio Urbano Caldeira, who is the headquarters of Santos FC.
After that, the body was then buried. In the event before the funeral, Pele's body was greeted like a hero.
Arriving at the Stadium, Pele was also surrounded by important figures on the gridiron, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Infantino deliberately appeared at Pele's grave to pay his last respects on behalf of FIFA for the legend. Not wanting to lose the moment, the FIFA president also captured the moment in front of Pele's body through his camera with Pele's family, Marcia Aoki and her son, Edinho.
Infantino's moment took a selfie in front of Pele's body and then spread widely on social media and drew criticism. A number of former Pele's colleagues assessed that Infantino had gone too far with the selfie in the midst of mourning.
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Regarding the criticism, Infantino then clarified it. According to the Swiss man, he took a selfie moment because Pele's family invited him, so he felt reluctant to refuse.
"I just landed from a trip to Brazil to release Pele's departure. I was shocked to see some criticism from some people about my selfie at the funeral yesterday," Gianni Infantino said on his Instagram account.
"I want to clarify that I feel both honored and honored when there are Pele's colleagues and family members who ask for a selfie and take pictures with me. I agree."
"Regarding selfies, Pele's colleagues asked us all to come along, but they didn't know how to do it. So I tried to help by taking photos of one of them, as well as photos of us all," continued the president.
He then accepted the criticism directed at him because he felt he had acted correctly by helping Pele's friends.
"If my goodwill helps Pele's friends are criticized, I am happy to accept it and will continue to help football legends wherever I am," said Infantino.
"I really respect and admire Pele. I certainly will not take inappropriate actions at yesterday's ceremony," he concluded.
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