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

Pele, however, said on Tuesday from London that “I have not had a fight with Ricardo Teixieira. It is not true, I respect him.”

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