Pele’s son sentenced to 33 years for money-laundering

The son of former Brazil striker Pele has been sentenced to 33 years in prison for laundering money earned from drug trafficking, Brazilian media reported.

Edinho, who played as a goalkeeper for his father's former club Santos, served a jail sentence for drug trafficking between 2005 and 2006. At the time, he admitted to being a drug addict but denied trafficking charges.

He was found guilty of money-laundering on Friday by a judge in the beachside city of Praia Grande.

Four other men accused of being part of the same gang received similar sentences. Edinho, whose real name is Edson Cholbi do Nascimento, is expected to appeal the judge's decision but must hand over his passport to the authorities.

He may be preventively arrested while a higher court considers his appeal.

Goalkeeper job

Edinho (43) works as a goalkeeping coach for Santos. He played for the club in the 1990s.

Pele, widely regarded as the best footballer of all time, helped Brazil win the World Cup three times, in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He retired in 1974, but made a comeback a year later for New York Cosmos, when Edhino was five.

Edinho is Pele’s third son from his first marriage. – (Reuters)