A Viral Claim Says Pelé’s Feet Kept in the Museum by FIFA

After the Brazilian football legend Pelé died at the age of 82 on December 29 last year, a claim going viral on social media said the world’s football governing body, FIFA, would keep the former Brazilian international player's feet at the museum and that his family had given the permission. However, after reviewing news from reliable media and keyword searches, it finds out that the claim is false.

Social Media Claim

A viral claim recently circulating on social media said the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) – the world’s football governing body – would keep Pelé’s feet in the museum. The claim added that Pelé’s family had given the permission.

The claim came after the football legend, who won three World Cup champions three times with Brazil, died at the age of 82 on December 29 last year.

The claim has been widely shared, commented on, and reacted to after it was circulated on social media.

Below is the capture of the claim circulated on Facebook last Friday, saying, “Breaking: FIFA will keep Pele’s feet in the museum. Pele’s family has given the permission.”

Facebook Post | Archived Link

The same claim can be found on social media here, here, and here. Please, how viral the claim has been on social media since last Friday.

Fact Check

Fact Crescendo Cambodia began an investigation into the claim by searching keywords and reviewing news circulated by reliable international media. Thus, we found the facts below.

First of all, we looked for an official statement from FIFA. Then we found three official press releases from the world’s football governing body after Pelé’s death was announced to the public last Thursday. But, unfortunately, FIFA said nothing about how it would affect Pele’s feet after his death last week.

In its first press release on December 29, FIFA expressed its sadness and shock after Pele’s death and detailed what the former Brazilian international had done in football history.

In its second press release on December 30, FIFA told its president Gianni Infantino greatly admired Pele and his eternality in football history.

In its latest press release on January 02, FIFA said Gianni Infantino paid a tribute and farewell to Pele before he was laid off in the Santos stadium.

Second, we searched for news from reliable media by searching keywords. Unfortunately, we do not see reliable media reporting this kind of news.

Instead, we found a fact-checking network, PRNigeria, which debunked the claim, saying it was false. Read the full article here.

Pelé died on December 29 last year at the age of 82. However, his legacy in football history is excellent to remember by people around the globe. He left his footprints at the famous hall of Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. See images of Pelé’s footprints here.

Footprints of big names in Brazilian football history like Ronaldo Nazario, Kaka, and Ronaldinho are kept in the fame hall in Maracana stadium.

A BBC report said Pele’s body was laid to rest at the stadium of Santos – a football club he had played for 19 years.

Conclusion

Fact Crescendo Cambodia found out that the claim mentioned above is false. The claim is just a baseless rumour. No FIFA’s official statement or reliable news said Pele’s feet would be kept in the museum.