Pele - the world's greatest footballer - spoke today of his sadness at the scandals which have rocked English soccer.

The Brazilian legend was at Newcastle United's St James' Park for the launch of a new art exhibition in his honour.

But he gave his verdict on the trouble facing the Premiership's wayward stars.

Asked about Rio Ferdinand being axed from the England squad over his failure to turn up for a drug test and the rape allegations being aimed at top-flight stars, he said: "There are thousands of players around the world and these are just one or two.

"In comparison to political scandals and corruption maybe it is nothing.

"But of course these things are not good and it is not something we want to hear about."

He called for modern players to be role models and show greater loyalty.

Pele, 63, said: "We cannot compare our times to modern times, but footballers had a great love and respect for the public, that is what made football the great sport it was.

"In the modern game players sign, for example for Manchester United and say they love Manchester United.

"Then they go to Milan and do the same.

"This is something they must pay attention to in the modern game. Players must love football and their team. I worry about this in modern football."

Pele, real name Edson Arantes Do Nascimento, was promoting an exhibition of photographs taken of him over his years in the game.

It will be the introduction to a larger exhibition of art devoted to the 100 greatest players of all time, as chosen by FIFA and Pele himself.

He should have been joined at the launch by Newcastle United skipper Alan Shearer - but the star delivered an amazing snub.

Organisers of the event said Shearer couldn't fit the event into his timetable because he had other club and charity commitments.

Shearer had been scheduled to meet Pele on the St James' Park pitch for a photocall.

And later he was to auction the Brazil legend's kit to raise cash for the NSPCC charity, of which Shearer is a patron.

A spokesman for Eyestorm, the arts body organising The Pele Collection, said: "Alan Shearer couldn't fit the event into his timetable."

He went on to explain that Shearer had an engagement at Wallsend Boys Club - the night after the dinner for Pele.

The Eyestorm spokesman added: "He has been training with Newcastle and he has another charity event coming up tomorrow so he could not make it. He has a lot of demands on his time."

But Pele generously had words of praise for Shearer.

He said: "I have known Alan Shearer a long time, he is the kind of guy I would want in my team.

"I like him very much as a person and he is an excellent example." Pele met young players from Newcastle-based Red House Farm Under 12s after dispensing some advice aimed at 17-year-old England starlet Wayne Rooney.

He said: "I have seen his highlights in Brazil but I haven't seen him play yet. I saw Michael Owen at the same age and I thought "this is a boy I like."

"At 17 it is easier when people don't know you, you appear as a surprise to them. "When you are well known the players, the coach and the dcrowd starts to demand.

"This is the point where he has to pay attention, he should be prepared for this."

The Pele Collection opens at Northumbria University, Newcastle, before moving to Dublin on October 8 and County Hall, London, on October 9.

The identities of the players he judges the greatest is still a secret.

But he revealed some famous British players would be among them.

He said: "There are some great England players such as Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore and of course George Best was one of the greatest players I ever saw."