If there's one thing we know about Roy Keane, it's that he's prone to giving a controversial opinion or two from time to time on punditry.
The ex-Manchester United captain has grown a cult following as a pundit due to his outspoken comments and no-nonsense attitude, but it has earned him some criticism in the past as well.
Keane was similarly no-nonsense during his playing career, and has taken issue in recent years with elaborate goal celebrations, or players dancing in the changing rooms after games.
Monday evening brought the latest instance of this, as Roy Keane criticised Brazil's joyful celebrations in their 4-1 win over South Korea as "disrespectful" - comments that have not gone down well in Brazil.
Roy Keane: Brazilian football fans fight back against criticism
Appearing on ITV during their coverage of Brazil's rampant win over South Korea, Roy Keane took issue with the Selecao's dancing celebrations after each goal. He said:
I've never seen so much dancing, it's like Strictly. I just can't believe what I'm watching, I really can't.
I don't like this. I know the point has been made about culture, but I think this is really disrespectful to the opposition. It's four and they are doing it every time.
I don't mind the first kind of jig, whatever their doing. The one after that, and then the manager getting involved, I'm not happy with it, I don't think it's good at all.
The celebrations from Brazil were joyful, as they showed the form that has made them many punters' favourites to go all the way in Qatar.
My commentator (TSN) on Roy Keane saying Brazil’s celebrations are disrespectful:
“Have they ever watched Brazil? Brazil in the 70s, 80s, 90s? This is Brazil, this is more than football.” pic.twitter.com/3ARjTVZ0OP— Brasil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) December 5, 2022
Needless to say, the reaction in Brazil to Keane's comments has not been overly positive.
One Brazilian publication shared the comments with the tagline "Tough pill to swallow, huh?"
TNT Sports, meanwhile, shared a screenshot of a headline depicting Roy Keane's contentious comments.
Beneath the headline was an edited image of Thanos from Avengers: Endgame, in which the character is depicted with a Brazilian flag with a quote from the film - "I don't even know who you are."
In a separate post, TNT went even further, telling Keane to "bite your back".
Roy Keane has been told 🇧🇷🕺#BBCWorldCup #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/lxlfPISX04
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 6, 2022
Aside from major Brazilian publications, however, the fight back from Brazilian fans has been even stronger.
Some of the responses shared by Brazilian fans on Twitter contained quite vulgar and demeaning language towards Keane, but many of them were simply unhappy with Keane's seeming assertion that players should not celebrate goals.
dentro de poco van a reglamentar cómo festejar! vamos na!!! https://t.co/Xxhv2qxzZR
— Nadia de Apellido Guerrero (@Nadiatiti) December 6, 2022
One fan said: "Soon they will regulate how to celebrate."
Falta de respeto a la alegría seria si no se expresara...¡dejar de llorar, es una competencia deportiva solo eso! https://t.co/OmWOhTW15o
— vickis hr (@VicksHr) December 6, 2022
Another commented: "Lack of respect for joy would be serious if it were not expressed...stop crying, it's just a sports competition!"
Ahora nadie puede disfrutarse su gol porque es una burla ahora hasta la cosa más insignificante es una burla.
Es un mundial a nadie le gusta perder pero Brasil siempre se ha caracterizado por hacer sus bailes. https://t.co/YnNZSyGoRF— Isidro (@isidroromerob) December 6, 2022
One particularly impassioned fan says: "Now no one can enjoy their goal because it's a joke now even the most insignificant thing is a joke. It's a World Cup, nobody likes to lose, but Brazil has always been known for doing its dances."
Wtf, ya no saben ni que decir https://t.co/6b1scSb9K4
— A (@AndreaRomeroP02) December 5, 2022
Another Brazilian football fan was simply dumbfounded, saying: "Wtf, they don't know what to say anymore"
"Dancing is disrepectful to the adversaries"
Let's show how Roy Keane was respectful.
13 red cards (most in English football history) and also: https://t.co/2XcReThg0P pic.twitter.com/qxx8MIoFCh— Cajado Metatrônico (@Vienna_Gambit) December 5, 2022
One particularly strong post took a wider swipe at Irish culture alongside a shocking attack on Keane, emboldening many Irish Twitter users to chime in themselves in defence of Keane. One thing that cannot be levelled at Keane is a suggestion that he is not an honest man.
Roy Keane it's a violent and dishonest person, born into an alcoholic society where people don't dance because they basically don't know how to express feelings. Just shut up. pic.twitter.com/2pOjfojgTt
— Mari (@whocaresmari) December 6, 2022
It's fair to say Roy Keane isn't the most popular man in Brazil currently. GOAL Brasil shared a clip from 2000, suggesting in a tongue-in-cheek manner that Keane's comments were motivated by bitterness towards Brazil for Manchester United's defeat to Vasco da Gama in the 2000 FIFA Club World Cup.
Roy Keane anda na bronca com brasileiros, né? 😡
Deve ser porque Romário e Edmundo fizeram isso com o United em 2000 pelo Vasco com ele em campo 👀pic.twitter.com/tdn4qzLPt9— GOAL Brasil (@GoalBR) December 5, 2022
Roy Keane is scolding Brazilians, right? It must be because Romário and Edmundo did it to United in 2000 for Vasco with him on the field
We'd hazard a guess that the 2000 Club World Cup wasn't the first thing on Roy Keane's mind on Monday night.
Keane was not the only one to question the Brazilian celebrations against South Korea, and two members of the team have since responded to the criticism. Manager Tite - who joined in the dancing for Richarlison's wonderful goal - has defended his players, while Lucas Paqueta has also explained the dancing:
Dance is our symbol of joy in scoring a goal - we don't do it to disrespect, we don't go in front of opponents. We gathered, all together, and celebrated.
If they don't like it, we don't have much to do.
Roy Keane can likely expect a frosty reception in Brazil for the foreseeable future.
SEE ALSO: Wayne Rooney Makes Brutally Honest Admission From His Time At Everton
