Denilson (right) created a stir in the 2002 World Cup, keeping the ball from Turkey. Photo / Reuters

Denilson (right) created a stir in the 2002 World Cup, keeping the ball from Turkey. Photo / Reuters

One of the most abiding moments of the 2002 World Cup was Brazilian winger Denilson taking the ball into the corner and dribbling around in a circle chased by half the Turkish team.

Brazil were leading 1-0 in the semifinal with seconds left and commentators and fans went wild with delight, hailing Denilson's irreverence and cheeky skills as a classic piece of Brazilian play.

Yet when Brazilian players are on the wrong end of similar trickery, they fail to see the funny side.

Had Denilson tried a similar trick in his homeland, there is a good chance his antics would have provoked a brawl and it is even possible the game would not have finished.

Incredibly, for a country that produced players such as Garrincha and Pele, dribbling is often considered a provocative humiliation of an opponent, a breach of fair play and even an insult to the victim's manhood.

Two weeks ago, Corinthians players bitterly criticised Palmeiras midfielder Jorge Valdivia for dribbling too much during a derby against them.

Valdivia, a Chilean international, inspired Palmeiras to a 3-0 win and afterwards received a thinly veiled warning from Corinthians coach Emerson Leao.

"I'm worried about what might happen to him in the future because he has technique but he exaggerates," said Leao after his team had taken it in turns to kick the Chilean.

"I worried that something more serious might happen to him in the future."

Corinthians and Palmeiras share a bitter rivalry and have already provided an extreme example of what can happen.

Back in 1999, the sides met to decide the Paulista championship in a two-leg final.

With Corinthians enjoying a three-goal aggregate lead and only a few minutes to play, forward Edilson nonchalantly began playing keepy-uppy in midfield.

The gesture incensed the Palmeiras players, who chased him off the field.

A vicious brawl ensued, with players exchanging punches and karate kicks. The referee abandoned the match.

Edilson did nothing wrong, yet he was punished, not the brawlers. The next day, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, then Brazil coach, dropped him from the Copa America squad.