Brazillian soccer players filmed laughing at Welcome to Country before match with Socceroos in Townsville
Backlash was swift, as Brazilians and Australians alike slammed the ‘disrespectful’ treatment of the cultural ceremony.
The Brazillian men’s soccer team have come under fire after they were filmed laughing at a Welcome to Country ceremony in North Queensland.
The team, known as Seleção, travelled to Townsville to play the Socceroos in a friendly match, and were welcomed in a smoking ceremony by the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts performance group on Thursday evening.
The ceremony was featured on the Brazil national team’s Instagram, which labelled the ceremony a “special” start to Brazil’s time in Australia.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.However, vision circulating on social media appears to show several Brazillian players covering their faces and laughing as the performance group, which included a child, conducted the Welcome to Country.
Backlash was swift, as Brazilians and Australians alike slammed the “disrespectful” treatment of the cultural ceremony.
“They all look like a bunch of kids, as long as they have that childish mentality they’ll never win anything,” one person said.
“Sometimes it’s embarrassing to be Brazilian, honestly,” another said.
“I’m Brazilian and I totally despise their attitude, and I apologise to the Australian brothers,” another said.
“This disrespect is unbelievable. As a Brazilian, I want to offer my most sincere apologies to the Australian people. These people, at this precise moment, do not represent Brazil,” a fourth said.
The moment comes just months after Brazil posted its worst performance at a World Cup since 1990, under coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The Socceroos will be taking on Brazil on September 25 in Townsville, and again in Brisbane on September 29.
