Reports: Soccer Star Pele Robbed at Gunpoint

Sunday, June 22, 2008


SAO PAULO, Brazil —  Brazilian media say soccer legend Pele was held up at gunpoint, and robbed by a band of youths armed with knives and guns. They took a gold necklace, cell phone, and watch.

The media reports say it happened back on June 13th in a slum near the city of Santos, but wasn't made public until today.

Pele was riding in the passenger seat of a car when it was stopped by at least 10 young men.

The soccer legend is a legally declared national treasure, according to the Brazilian government. In 1999 he was voted Athlete of the Century by the world's national Olympic committees.