Pele critical of Brazil's World Cup organization

MEXICO CITY (AP) Pele says Brazil has spent unwisely in preparing for the World Cup.

Speaking at Anahuac University in Mexico City, the soccer great says he sides with those protesting the big spending on the World Cup. But he also laments ''what protesters are doing, which is breaking and burning everything. It's money that we will have to spend again.''

He criticizes the late stadium preparations and says the confusion is likely to keep away about one-quarter of the tourists who might have visited Brazil.

The 73-year-old Pele helped Brazil win three of its five World Cups. The tournament starts June 12.