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Pele denies feud with Brazilian soccer chief

Tue Aug 2, 2011 4:02 PM EDT
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Rob Harris, AP Sports Writer
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<p>President of Local Organizing Committee, Ricardo Teixeira speaks during the opening ceremony of the Preliminary Draw of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, July 29, 2011. The 2014 World Cup soccer tournament begins to take shape on Saturday when FIFA hosts the qualifying draw in Rio de Janeiro, laying out each nation's path to securing a spot in the tournament in three years' time. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)</p>

President of Local Organizing Committee, Ricardo Teixeira speaks during the opening ceremony of the Preliminary Draw of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, July 29, 2011. The 2014 World Cup soccer tournament begins to take shape on Saturday when FIFA hosts the qualifying draw in Rio de Janeiro, laying out each nation's path to securing a spot in the tournament in three years' time. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

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LONDON — Pele denies he's feuding with Brazilian soccer chief Ricardo Teixeira despite failing to receive an official invitation for the 2014 World Cup qualifying draw last week.

The Brazilian great needed an honorary ambassadorship from the government to attend the Rio de Janeiro event on Saturday.

However, Pele said Tuesday from London that he has "not had a fight with Ricardo Teixeira" and he respects him.

Teixeira also is the president of the World Cup's local organizing committee. He has been regularly attacked by the Brazilian media for alleged irregularities while running soccer in the country. A march in protest against his reign was held before the draw.

© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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