Pelé to receive honorary degree

Pelé, considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, is to receive an honorary University degree. The degree celebrates Pelé's significant contribution to humanitarian and environmental causes, as well as his sporting achievements - including winning the World Cup three times with Brazil, as well as being named as 's joint player of the century and the International Olympic Committee's athlete of the century. Since his retirement from football, Pelé has been Brazil's Extraordinary Minister for Sport and was appointed a United Nations ambassador for ecology and the environment in 1992. Pelé will receive his degree - his first from a European university - at a reception, held at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London on 9 August, which showcases both the sporting and cultural achievements of the University of Edinburgh. He will also be presented with a University football strip. I am delighted to make this award to one of the foremost sporting figures of our age, who is the epitome of sporting brilliance and élan. He has also devoted time and energy to countless charitable causes throughout the world, and we honour him for his outstanding contribution.