Pele has jumped to the defence of Chelsea striker Diego Costa.

The Spain international is underfire for his behaviour during victory over Arsenal.

Speaking to Agence France-Presse at an event to launch an exhibition to mark his 75th birthday, Pele said: "Listen, this to me was so common [in the 60s and 70s].

"I suffered all my life with good marking. He's a very good player, everybody knows.

"This was one moment. The striker who bit someone, Luis Suarez, was worse than this."