Pele urges FIFA to use 5 officials for World Cup games but says TV replays are too intrusive

Pele says World Cup games should have 5 officials

MEXICO CITY — Pele says FIFA should field a match official behind each goal to assist the referee at the World Cup in a bid to avoid scandals like Diego Maradona’s infamous handball at the 1986 tournament.

Pele says he is in favor of five match officials being used in each game at the World Cup in South Africa starting June 11, but is opposed to the introduction of video replays as he says stopping play to review a potential foul could impede a possible counterattack.

UEFA introduced the experiment of using five match officials in the Europa League this season.

Pele spoke Monday in Mexico City, where he is promoting the Copa Libertadores, South America’s top club championship.

Pele also says Robinho deserves a place on the Brazilian squad.