Brazil manager Tite has defended his dancing celebration for Richarlison’s goal against South Korea after pundit Roy Keane called his antics disrespectful.
The Spurs striker headed over to the dugout to celebrate with his manager after putting Brazil into a commanding 3-0 lead inside the first half an hour of the game.
The celebrations were a theme of the night for Brazil, who cruised into the quarter-final after eventually dispatching South Korea 4-1.
But Tite’s decision to dance with his players drew the ire of former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder Keane, who slammed his antics on ITV and said he ‘couldn’t believe what he was watching’.
Keane also said Brazil‘s celebrations were ‘disrespectful’ but Tite was quick to suggest that it was simply a gesture of expression and happiness.
Harry Symeou hosts Andy Headspeath, Toby Cudworth & La Liga TV presenter Semra Hunter to look back on the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa – join us!
If you can’t see the podcast embed, click here to download or listen to the episode in full!
“There’s no interpretation other than happiness at the goal, happiness for the team, happiness for the performance,” Tite replied when told of the criticism. “There was no disrespect for the opposition nor towards [South Korea coach] Paulo Bento for whom I have a lot of respect.
“We try to adapt to the characteristics of the players. They are very young and I try to adapt a bit to their language, and part of their language is dancing.”
Vinicius Junior, Neymar and Lucas Paqueta were also on the scoresheet for Brazil, who will take on Croatia on Friday afternoon in the World Cup’s first quarter-final.