Robinho demands retraction and apology for Pele comments

MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Robinho is demanding a retraction and apology after Pele said the Brazilian striker had a drug problem.

Robinho, who plays for Manchester City in the Premier League, threatens legal action if the soccer great does not comply. Pele also implicated Ronaldo, another Brazilian star, in his comments to a Brazilian radio station last week.

"A formal retraction from Pele will be requested, if what he said was not misinterpreted by the media that published it," according to a statement on Robinho's Web site Tuesday. "And if Pele does not come forward, he will have to deal with his very unfortunate comment in court."

Guilhereme Prado, a spokesman for Ronaldo's Brazilian club, Corinthians, said the veteran striker had no comment.

Pele's remarks appeared to suggest that any transgression was in the past.

"It's unfair to talk of drugs in football just because of one or two cases, as happened with Ronaldo and Robinho, who had that problem," Pele said.

Pele helped Brazil win three World Cups before retiring in 1977. Since then, he has done promotional work for a credit card company and Viagra.

"Robinho is upset and disappointed at Pele, who seems to have forgotten the great idol he was," the Web site statement added. "It appears Pele must be reading sensationalist (media) to come up with such a wrongful statement."