Brazil boss Tite has hit back at the critics of his players’ dancing celebrations at the World Cup.
The Selecao thumped South Korea 4-1 on Monday in the last-16, with their celebrations causing a stir.
The team danced after every goal to prompt criticism from former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane during his punditry on ITV, saying it was “disrespectful” and “like watching Strictly”.
Tite insists it was not meant to be disrespectful but part of Brazilian culture, adding that his team will keep on dancing.
“This is not my team, this is the Brazilian team and I have the responsibility of being the head coach,” said Tite.
“I will not make comments to those who do not know Brazilian history and Brazilian culture the way each and every one of is. To those, I leave that noise aside.
“I want my connection to my job, to the people who I relate to, to those who relate to my work, who now how much I respect and know my history.
“Those are the ones I give my heart and pay attention to, because I am very discreet and I continue to be so because I respect the culture, the way I am and the way this national team is. Lots of other kids will dance because that is Brazilian culture when a goal is scored.
“It is not being disrespectful to anyone, that is how we do things, that’s us.”
Head coach Tite even joined in the dancing during Monday’s win over South Korea, doing ‘The Pigeon’ dance after Richarlison scored.
“I think it is a connection that I have with a younger generation,” Tite added.
“I am 61 years old and I work with players who are 21, 22, they could be my grandchildren and I have a connection with them and all of those who truly know me, and if I have to choose between those who know me and those who do not know me, I will of course to choose those who know me.
“If I have to dance to connect with them, I will continuing dancing. I have also used the metaphor, when we paint a painting the entire painting is the athletes, they are the ones who are portrayed in this painting and we are just participants, we just contribute to the painting, but the painting is just the players themselves.”
