Today, FIFA president Gianni Infantino appeared to take a photo next to the open coffin of football star Pele, whose wake is presently occurring in Brazil.
Infantino was in the city of Santos on Thursday to pay his respects to the man largely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, who passed away at the age of 82.
Thousands of mourners, including Pele’s wife and brother, marched through the Vila Belmiro, the home of Pele’s longstanding club Santos, where the open casket bearing “The King” was exhibited on a makeshift structure in the middle of the field.
Infantino seemed to stop near to Pele’s coffin to grab a photo with a group of men, including former Santos star Manoel Maria, within steps from the body of the late great.
Today, FIFA president Gianni Infantino appeared to take a photo next to the open casket of footballing hero Pele, whose wake is presently taking place in Brazil (seen bottom).
Infantino pauses to take a selfie with a group within inches from Pele’s corpse.
Pele’s sister could be seen in the same photo as the FIFA president took a selfie with the man while holding out a cell phone.
In a second photograph, a man stopped to take a selfie with Infantino and the men with whom the FIFA president had previously been photographed.
Infantino was spotted consoling Pele’s widow Marcia Aoki and son Edinho as he stood beside the casket and shook hands with others standing under the umbrella.
Infantino, together with the heads of the South American and Brazilian football confederations, was among the first to pay respects during the 24-hour wake.
In recent months, Infantino has been accused of desiring to be the center of attention. Ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the president of FIFA delivered an unusual address that stunned supporters.
Infantino was spotted consoling Pele’s widow Marcia Aoki (right) and his son Edinho while shaking hands with others standing under the canopy as he stood near the casket.
On January 2, FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R) embraces Pele’s son, Edinho (left), at his funeral at the Urbano Caldeira stadium in Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Infantino was in the city of Santos on Thursday to pay his respects to the 82-year-old man largely regarded as the greatest player of all time.
The game’s worldwide governing body was criticized for its decision to hold the finals in Qatar, a country where the treatment of migrant workers and the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals have been fiercely criticized.
In his 90-minute speech, the president compared his experience as a youngster with red hair to that of LGBT and disabled individuals.
Infantino said: ‘Today I feel Qatari. Today I felt Arabic. I feel African today. Today I feel gay. Today I am handicapped. Today I feel (like) a migratory laborer. Obviously, I am not Qatari, Arab, African, homosexual, or handicapped.
“However, I feel this way because I understand what it is like to be discriminated against and bullied as a foreigner in a strange nation. I was ridiculed as a child because I had red hair and freckles, and I was Italian.’
He was also criticized for his behavior during the trophy ceremony of the December 18 World Cup final, which Argentina won over France.
Before Lionel Messi was presented with the trophy, he was dressed in a traditional Qatari black cloak called a bisht.
Then, Infantino escorted Messi carefully towards the trophy and down the platform to his teammates.
This prompted BBC commentator Alan Shearer to remark, ‘I didn’t believe Infantino would let him go either,’ while Gary Lineker added, ‘Nobody marked him [Messi] that closely during the game!’
In addition, Infantino was met with scorn and indignation on social media after a video showing him visiting Salt Bae’s restaurant in Dubai last year, in the wake of the celebrity chef’s World Cup final antics, resurfaced after the world cup.
Why the celebrity chef was permitted on the field as Argentina players celebrated their World Cup victory has been questioned.
In recent months, Infantino has been accused of desiring to be the center of attention. Before World Cup champion Lionel Messi was presented with the trophy, he was draped in a black robe or bisht – a traditional Qatari garment. Then, Infantino escorted Messi gently toward the trophy and down the platform to his teammates.
Infantino stated on Monday, as Pele’s funeral resumed, that FIFA will invite all nations to name a stadium after the Brazilian football star.
Infantino told journalists gathered at the Vila Belmiro, the stadium where the player known as “The King” originally broke onto the world stage with his exploits for his longtime club, Santos FC, “We’re going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums after Pele.”
Infantino stated, “We’re here with deep sorrow.” ‘Pele is immortal. He is a global football icon.’
Friday, the flags of the world were flown at half-mast outside FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich to honor Pele, whom the organization has deemed the greatest player of the 20th century.
Pele, the first player in history to win three World Cups, passed away after a protracted battle with cancer at a Sao Paulo hospital.
Tuesday will begin with a funeral procession through the streets of Santos, followed by a private burying service.
»Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, appears to take a SELFIE beside Pele’s open casket«