Football legend Pele tells Putin to stop Ukraine invasion
Brazilian football icon Pele has appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the invasion of Ukraine.
“Stop the invasion,” the 81-year-old Pele said in a letter to Putin he posted on Instagram shortly before Ukraine’s 3-1 World Cup semi-final play-off win in Scotland on Wednesday night.
“There is absolutely no justification for this continued violence,” he added.
“This conflict is wicked, unjustifiable and brings nothing but pain, fear, terror and anguish. There is no reason for it to last any longer,” the three-time World Cup winner Pele said.
“When we met in the past and exchanged smiles accompanied by a long handshake I never thought we would be as divided as we are right now.
“The power to stop this conflict is in your hands. The same ones I shook in Moscow, at our last meeting in 2017.”
Ukraine’s win moved the team into a play-off final in Wales on Sunday, with the winners going to the World Cup in Qatar.
The Russian team was suspended from 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying after the start of the invasion.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Lagos
Lagos steps up enforcement of commercial vehicle, driver identification rules
Mr Edu said the collaboration would strengthen document verification during enforcement operations.
Economy
Kano tricycle operators decry rising cost of engine oil, spare parts
One of the operators explained that a journey that previously cost ₦300 could now cost at least ₦500.
States
Aduma-Mkpani-Ugep road will boost agricultural activities in Cross River: Senator
Some residents of the area commended the senator for facilitating the road project.
Lagos
Sanwo-Olu walks runway at Lagos Fashion Week
The governor described Lagos as a growing hub for fashion, creativity and culture.
States
Customs urge inter-agency synergy to tackle border crimes
Ms Nwala said that the complexities of contemporary border security required sustained collaboration.
Agriculture
Jigawa govt establishes N4.5 billion cattle ranches
The commissioner said that mobile veterinary clinics had also been deployed across the 27 LGAs.
