Fifa president Infantino 'takes selfie beside Pele's open coffin'

Gianni Infantino has appeared to take a selfie next to the open coffin of football legend Pele.

A picture shows the Fifa president apparently holding up his phone to take a selfie just yards away from the open casket of the Brazilian icon, who died on 29 December at the age of 82 after a battle with cancer.

Infantino was in Sao Paulo as Pele's former club Santos held a 24-hour wake.

Pele's coffin was placed in the centre circle of the Urbano Caldeira stadium on Monday ahead of a private burial on Tuesday.

Watch: Gianni Infantino wants every country to name a stadium after Pele

Pele has reportedly chosen a burial site on the ninth floor of a nearby cemetery which will allow him to watch over the Santos stadium.

Infantino was pictured talking to fellow mourners close to Pele's coffin during the wake.

In one image, he is seen apparently taking a selfie with his phone, although the camera is facing away from Pele's open coffin.

In another picture, Infantino appears to pose for a selfie being taken by another mourner.

Infantino was also seen talking to Marcia Aoki, Pele’s widow, and his son Edinho.

The controversial Infantino said Fifa will ask every country in the world to name a stadium after Pele, who won three World Cups as a player.

Infantino said: “We’re going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele.”

In April 2021, Rio de Janeiro abandoned plans to name the famous Maracana Stadium after Pele after it was vetoed by the state governor.

In a statement released on the day of Pele's death, Infantino had said: “For everyone who loves the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come. The day we lost Pele.

“His life is about more than football. He changed perceptions for the better in Brazil, in South America and across the world. His legacy is impossible to summarise in words.”

Brazil’s government had declared three days of national mourning after Pele’s death last week.

Thousands of people queued up outside the stadium to pay their respects to the player that many believe was the greatest ever.

Watch: Brazilian football legend Pele dies aged 82