- Oct 25, 2006
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Pele has called on world governing body FIFA to ban defending teams setting up walls after conceding free-kicks close to the box.
Brazil World Cup legend believes it is unfair for sides to be allowed to get so many players behind the ball when a striker may have been denied a clearer goalscoring chance.
Pele, widely recognised as the game's greatest player, scored more than 1,000 goals in a glittering career that included three World Cup wins.
The 67-year-old said: "You can debate changing the rules of football.
"There is one rule I have debated at FIFA. As a forward, the wall - I don't know why they have not banned the wall from the game.
"The forward gets the ball from the midfield, dribbles for one-two or passes three or four players but when you get close to the goal, the last defender makes a foul.
"After you have passed all the players, one guy makes a foul and then you have the whole team in the wall against you again. It is not fair.
"It is one rule I don't understand, as a forward, why they didn't ban."
Pele would also have no objections to using video technology to help the referee on the field make decisions.
He said: "The big issue is, do you use technology? This is life. You cannot stop because life is changing and the world continues."
Pele is currently visiting England as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the world's oldest club, Sheffield FC.
Would simply be allowing teams half a chance at goal, i say no. Keep Wall's.
Brazil World Cup legend believes it is unfair for sides to be allowed to get so many players behind the ball when a striker may have been denied a clearer goalscoring chance.
Pele, widely recognised as the game's greatest player, scored more than 1,000 goals in a glittering career that included three World Cup wins.
The 67-year-old said: "You can debate changing the rules of football.
"There is one rule I have debated at FIFA. As a forward, the wall - I don't know why they have not banned the wall from the game.
"The forward gets the ball from the midfield, dribbles for one-two or passes three or four players but when you get close to the goal, the last defender makes a foul.
"After you have passed all the players, one guy makes a foul and then you have the whole team in the wall against you again. It is not fair.
"It is one rule I don't understand, as a forward, why they didn't ban."
Pele would also have no objections to using video technology to help the referee on the field make decisions.
He said: "The big issue is, do you use technology? This is life. You cannot stop because life is changing and the world continues."
Pele is currently visiting England as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the world's oldest club, Sheffield FC.
Would simply be allowing teams half a chance at goal, i say no. Keep Wall's.