Roy Keane is not a party person. He is noted for his harsh and abrasive demeanour, and in 2007, was named No. 11 on The Times’ selection of the 50 “hardest” players in history.
His punditry has always been in line with this, and his time in Qatar has been no different. He criticised Brazil and manager Tite for the “disrespectful” dancing after their 4-1 victory against South Korea on Monday, after finding Senegal’s boisterous fans “annoying.”
“I don’t like this. I think it’s disrespecting the opposition. It’s four [goals] and they’re doing it every time,” he added, before adding, “I’ve never seen so much dancing. It’s like watching Strictly!” referring to the British dance programme “Strictly Come Dancing.”
However, the former Manchester United captain was wildly celebrating a goal of his own on Wednesday, less than 48 hours after criticising Brazil’s goal celebrations after their victory over South Korea.
On Wednesday, the broadcasters got together to play football, and Keane scored what the commentator referred to as the “golden goal”. He put the ball past the goalie, who was his Sky Sports partner Micah Richards.
Keane celebrated in a dramatic way, shouting with excitement before removing his shirt and whirling it in the air. He then leapt over a trash can, and his ecstatic ITV coworkers hauled him to the ground. Forget about the World Cup – this was the real BBC vs. ITV war.
Sky Sports responded to ITV’s tweet with Keane’s condemnation of Villa. The Lion’s thrilling 1-1 tie with West Ham in July 2020, which guaranteed them a spot in the Premier League for another year, earned the Irishman’s harsh criticism of the club.
Keane believed that the Villa players’ excessive celebrations were inappropriate despite their understandable joy at remaining in the game.
In Brazil, Keane has become a detested figure among football fans who like dancing. “Brazilian football is the embodiment of happiness. Roy Keane be damned,” said sports journalist Julio Gomes, one of many residents outraged by the former United midfielder’s statements.
Others were even harsher, questioning how the guy responsible for the savage attack on Alf Inge Haaland in 2001 believed he was in a position to advise others about disrespect.
Twitter users who saw the ITV tweet were also quick to come to Brazil’s defence. The jokes that followed ranged from made-up quotes about how Keane would react if he was a pundit for his own game, to others saying how the Monday Night Football panel would not even give him the goal.
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 7, 2022
They’re supposed to be professional pundits and they’re out there mucking around? I mean really? Really? Celebrating like that in a friendly? I mean he’s not even got the shot on target, it’s come off the defender and he’s celebrating like that? Showboating. Jumping over a bin.” pic.twitter.com/Z87lZ1bwDX
— Bev Dog 🏴 (@BevDogg_NCFC) December 7, 2022
I mean, he's celebrating like he's won the world cup there.. Let's be right, it's a deflection and an own goal, so it's embarrassing to carry on like that. If I was his manager then I'd be having a serious word with the lad. pic.twitter.com/CQjccLPUfX
— Iewis (@lewis_eightysix) December 7, 2022
‘Do me a favor, come on, against a right back in goal ,an a poor one at that. An the celebration, at his age, not for me.’ pic.twitter.com/2griCHEAbH
— Liam Fitzpatrick (@LiamFitzy9) December 7, 2022
Glorious? He’s just doing his job.
— Andy (@LetsTalk_FPL) December 7, 2022
Then the celebration – a bit disrespectful in a friendly game.
Keane probably did this ironically, but it might have been a little too on the nose. Maybe he is, after his entire playing career, finally understanding how to truly express the joy of scoring goals. You never know.
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