FORTALEZA, Brazil - Football great Pele insists he supports the Brazilian popular protests sweeping the country, as long as theyre peaceful. Pele was criticized online for telling Brazilians to forget about the nationwide demonstrations and focus on cheering on the national team, but he said he was never against the movement. He said in a television interview that the country should only "think about the national team," prompting Brazilians to flood social media sites to mock his comments. Pele had expressed support for the protests in the same interview, but only the part in which he told Brazilians to "forget about this mess that is happening in Brazil" went viral. Brazil has been swept by massive demonstrations that have sent hundreds of thousands of people into the streets denouncing poor public services, government corruption and even the billions spent in the country to host the Confederations Cup, the World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. Former Brazil star Ronaldo was also criticized recently after a 2011 video in which he said that "you cant host a World Cup by building hospitals" resurfaced on social media websites after the protests began. A member of the local World Cup organizing committee, Ronaldo has also had to defend himself. "It was a different context," he said. "Its not fair to use that as if it was said this week." Peles comments were made just before Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 in its second match at the Confederations Cup, a World Cup warm-up tournament among continental champions. "Lets forget about this mess that is happening in Brazil and lets think about the national team, which is our country, our blood," Pele told Globo TV. "Lets not jeer the Selecao, lets support it until the end." His other comments in the same interview didnt make it to social media protests. "There are a lot of bad characters taking advantage of this opportunity and they are hurting these peaceful protests which have been calling for what is best for the Brazilian people," he said. "I think we cant allow these bandits and bad characters to get in the way of this opportunity to make demands for our country." A World Cup ambassador, Pele was forced to release a statement saying that he was only against the jeering of the national team and violent protests. Brazilian fans had been loudly criticizing Brazil and jeering the squad after disappointing results in recent matches. There were clashes between police and protesters before some Confederations Cup matches, but inside the stadiums Brazil has received the full support of the local fans. Players said they were moved when the crowd kept singing the national anthem even after the music was cut short before the match on Wednesday at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, saying that it made them more motivated. "It was moving to see the attitude of the fans," Brazil assistant coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. "Very few times weve seen that. They supported us from the start. It was impressive to see how the players were moved by what happened during the national anthem." ___ Follow Tales Azzoni at http://twitter.com/tazzoniMarc-Andre Ter Stegen Jersey .C. -- Todd Fiddler scored a hat trick, including the overtime goal, as the Prince George Cougars survived an 8-7 win against the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League play Sunday. Danny Welbeck Arsenal Jersey . Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. http://www.footballarsenalstore.com/Women-Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang-Arsenal-Fc-Jersey/ . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. Matteo Guendouzi Jersey . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. Alex Iwobi Jersey . LeBron James and Chris Bosh didnt need any more. Williams scored 11 points in 10 minutes, Alan Anderson scored 17 points, and the Brooklyn Nets finished the exhibition season with a 108-87 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night.Vin Scully, the Hall of Fame baseball broadcaster who retired in October after 67 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama.In addition to Scully, former NBA greats Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan also will be honored.The announcement was made by the White House on Wednesday. The medals will be awarded in a ceremony Tuesday at the White House. It will be streamed live on www.whitehouse.gov/live.The Medal of Freedom, bestowed by the president, is the countrys highest civilian honor. It is awarded to individuals who make significant cultural or security contributions to the United States or international contributions in the areas of culture or world peace.Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary and a Dodgers fan, made the call to Scully to inform him of the award.Oh my gosh ... no. Are you sure? Scully said. Im just an old baseball announcer.?Told that his professionalism as an announcer captured the presidents attention, Scully said. Well, gosh, I am rather overwhelmed and humbled.?Scully retired at the end of baseballs regular season, ending his decades as the Dodgers radio and television broadcaster. His last broadcast was Oct. 2, during the Dodgers final regular-season game, in San Francisco. His final home game was Sept. 25, when the Dodgers clinched their fourth consecutive National League West title.The Dodgers went on to lose to the Chicago Cubbs in the National League Championship Series.ddddddddddddScully served in the Navy and later graduated from Fordham University. He worked for the CBS Radio Network before joining the Dodgers broadcast team in 1950. Known for his calm delivery and dulcet tones, Scullys famous pregame catchphrase was, Its time for Dodgers baseball.From 1975 to 1992, Scully also called NFL games for CBS Sports. One of his most famous football calls was of Dwight Clarks touchdown catch in the NFC title game on Jan. 10, 1982, which put the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XVI.Scully was awarded the Ford Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 and received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award for sportscasting in 1995, the same year he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.Abdul-Jabbar won three NCAA championships at UCLA and six more in the NBA -- five with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with the Milwaukee Bucks. Following his playing career, hes been a social activist and writer for a number of publications.Jordan won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, and five most valuable player awards during his 15 seasons. He is also a 14-time NBA all-star. Jordan currently is the principle owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. ' ' '