Craig Foster rips football great over 'disrespectful' swipe at World Cup

Craig Foster has been part of a growing backlash against Irish football great Roy Keane and other critics of the Brazilian team, whose exuberant dancing celebrations have left some observers unhappy. Brazil moved on at the FIFA World Cup thanks to their victory over South Korea, 4-1.

Each of those goals was met with an increasingly elaborate celebration - however football fans have long been familiar with the sight of Brazilian players letting loose after breaking through to score. However on commentary for ITV in the UK, Keane likened the celebration to reality show Strictly Come Dancing, eventually labelling the team's dancing 'disrespectful'.

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Keane gave plenty of credit to Brazil for their performance, which was saw them ease into the quarter-finals and a match-up against Croatia. But he was less than impressed with the dancing and made sure to say as much.

“I don’t like this. People say it’s their culture. But I think that’s really disrespecting the opposition," he said. “It’s four goals, and they are doing it every time.

“I don’t mind so much the first jig, it’s the one after that, and the manager getting involved. I’m not happy about it. I don’t think it’s good at all."

Keane wasn't the only one to disapprove, with Scottish great Graeme Souness suggesting it was only a matter of time before an opponent 'goes right through' a Brazilian player out of frustration. However Aussie legend Foster was among many to disapprove of what was otherwise generally considered an innocuous, if overly exuberant celebration.

"Thank heavens for football in Brazil," he said on SBS' post-game coverage. Foster was adamant the world game needed to embrace the kind of energy Brazil brought to its games, even it that wasn't what other countries were doing for themselves.

“When they turn it on, it’s a very rare sight, and it is part of the beautiful game. They were one of the nations who invented that at times you can see it again, and you need to see it.”

“I see on social media some people aren’t happy with the dancing – utter rubbish. This is Brazil, this is what it’s about.”

Brazil cruise past South Korea to World Cup quarter-finals

Brazil needed a strong performance to stamp their credentials in Qatar. And they wasted no time in the knockout stages to show why they are favourites when Real Madrid flyer Vinicius Jr. cooly finished a Raphinia pass in the 7th minute.

The attacking quartet of Brazil danced in celebration and it was not to be the last time for the night. Neymar converted from the penalty spot to open his account at the World Cup having returned from injury after a serious ankle knock in the opening game. Richarlison then got in on the act and may have topped his effort in the first match for goal of the World Cup.

The forward picked the ball up at the top of the box and controlled it with his head a number of times. He then played the ball forward and continued as Brazil played a 1-2-3 back to Richarlison. The Tottenham forward swept the ball pass the keeper to all but cement the victory.

Richarlison took off to the dugout and celebrated with another dance, which coach Tite getting involved. To round off the scoring in the first half, Lucas Pacqueta hit a first time volley from a sumptuous Vinicius pass. Brazil became just the second team to score four or more goals in the first half of a knockout stage match in World Cup history. The only other team to achieve this feat was Germany against Brazil in their famous 7-1 win.

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