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25th Feb 2017

Pele’s son turns himself in to serve a 13-year prison sentence

Carl Kinsella

Former footballer Edson “Edinho” Cholbi Nascimento has turned himself to Brazilian authorities, after being sentenced to serve 13 years behind bars for money laundering and drug trafficking.

Edinho is better known as the son of one of football’s biggest ever stars, Pele. He also played for Pele’s club, Santos, for a time.

The former goalkeeper had so far stayed out of prison by undergoing a lengthy appeals process, but unfortunately for him the judge’s decision has now been rendered final.

Edinho has maintained his innocence, particularly on the count of money laundering, though he admits that he was involved in — though only as a user.

Pele, who is now 76, has suffered from several bouts of ill health and was prevented from attending the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics in Rio due to illness.