The Brazilian authorities declared three days of mourning due to the death of «soccer king» Pele. The athlete was 82 years old.
The player passed away on Thursday, December 29. The order for the days of mourning was published in the newspaper Diário Oficial da União.
"The only three-time world champion in fact showed that he was not only a great athlete, but also a great citizen and patriot," the Brazilian government's press office wrote on social media.
The cause of the footballer's death was the failure of all organs. Pele had been fighting colon cancer for a year and a half. In November, the athlete was no longer helped by chemotherapy courses, doctors helped relieve the pain.
Following the news of the great athlete's death, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced a seven-day mourning period.
Brazilians will be able to say goodbye to Pele at a funeral service to be held on January 2 at the Santos Stadium. Afterwards, according to preliminary reports, the coffin containing the athlete's body will be carried through the streets of Pelé's hometown of São Paulo. The funeral service will pass by the house where the footballer's mother lives, she recently turned one hundred years old.
The funeral of the athlete will take place on January 3. The ceremony will be private and only Pele's relatives and friends will be present.