FIFA president Infantino criticised for taking selfie in front of Pelé's casket

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has landed himself in hot water after he was spotted taking a selfie in front of the open casket of the late footballing legend Pelé.

The controversy follows after Infantino called on every nation in the world to name a football stadium after Pelé, in tribute to the Brazilian athlete, who passed away on December 29 last at the age of 82.

The cause of death was given as multiple-organ failure, which was the result of a complication related to colon cancer.

Infantino, who is originally from Switzerland but has Italian citizenship, posing in front of a camera phone with three other men, while nearby mourners gathered to pay their final respects to Pelé.

Previously speaking about Pelé, the 52-year-old said: "He received a gift from God, a gift that very few people on Earth have, which is to touch people's hearts and emotions.

"The fact is, there are many people around the world, millions, billions, who like me have never seen him play, but who are thinking about and honouring him."

"Of course, I was lucky enough to meet him in person, but I didn't see him play: it was my father who spoke so many times to him about me," he added.

BACKLASH

Infantino has been slammed for his actions on social media.

One Twitter user said: "Gianni Infantino has NO CLASS at all and definitely no respect for the late great Pele.

"Taking a selfie next to Pele’s coffin shame on him, another faux par when will he ever learn that he’s NOT the centre of attention."

Gianni Infantino has NO CLASS at all and definitely no respect for the late great Pele. Taking a selfie next to Pele’s coffin shame on him, another faux par when will he ever learn that he’s NOT the centre of attention.

— LIZLIM (@limmy59) January 3, 2023

Another simply said: "Good Lord, what is wrong with this bloke?"

Good Lord, what is wrong with this bloke?

Gianni Infantino criticised for taking selfie in front of Pelé’s open casket. https://t.co/11Rcy7xslM

— Flo (@mrs__flo) January 3, 2023

One user commented on the controversy by saying: "Without prejudice, what do you expect he is not going to miss a photo-opp even if that person is Pele the great it's call a 'PR Stunt'."

FIFA supremo Gianni Infantino takes selfie in front of Pele’s open casket; Without prejudice' what do you expect he is not going to miss a photo-opp even if that person is Pele the great it's call a 'PR Stunt'

— philip john carroll (@philipjohncarr1) January 3, 2023

Meanwhile, another user pointed out its similarity to a well-known internet meme:

This meme didn't need to be edited lol#gianniInfantino #Pele #RipLegend pic.twitter.com/JMRLwfJucP

— Wayne (@LifeandtimesM) January 3, 2023