Pelé supports UEFA anti-racism partners

Pelé has given his full support to the United Kingdom-based Football Unites, Racism Divides (FURD) organisation – a member of the Football Against Racism in Europe network partnering UEFA in the campaign to eliminate racism and intolerance from football.

Sheffield celebration
Pelé was in Sheffield recently to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the world's oldest football club, Sheffield FC, and also to open a museum about the late former England player, Laurie Cunningham, as well as about the history of black players in Sheffield. He was presented with gifts including a Football Unites, Racism Divides t-shirt and a copy of the book The First Black Footballer: Arthur Wharton 1865-1930.

Important moment
Pelé, 67, said: "This is an important moment, not just for me or the club, but for everyone. In 1958, I was 17 when I went to Sweden with Brazil for the [FIFA] World Cup. At that time I met the England team, the Sweden team, and lots of other teams, and there were no black players. I could not understand that – I asked why but no one had an answer for me. But after 1958 I started to notice a change, and we started to have players from all over the world. This event shows how football brings people together, and I am proud to be part of that."