Brazilian football legend Pele has claimed that FIFA president Sepp Blatter deserves "respect", despite the latest corruption scandal engulfing the world governing body.
Blatter was re-elected as the head of FIFA last Friday after challenger Prince Ali withdrew from the running following the first round of voting.
During the election process, many figures called for Blatter to step down after seven football officials were arrested in Zurich last week on suspicion of bribery, money laundering and racketeering.
"He's a man who has been [with FIFA] for 25 years, you have to respect him, it was an election," The Mirror quotes Pele as saying.
Blatter was not one of the 14 people indicted by the US authorities last week after it was alleged that more than $100m (£65m) was accepted in bribes from the 1990s to the present day.
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Danielle Joynson
