Actors dressed as AC Milan players performed a publicity stunt version of the Haka ahead of their goalless draw against Carpi at the San Siro on Thursday night.
Milan dubbed their pre-match war dance the 'Tekitanka', with the name emblazoned on advertising boards along with social media hashtags.
The ruse was all designed as a marketing ploy for club sponsors Nivea. While attempting to be light-hearted, the attention-seeking ploy could backfire on the club, given the cultural sanctity New Zealanders place in traditional war dances like the Haka.
Meanwhile before the AC Milan game...#HAKApic.twitter.com/cMlDZlpLkQ
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) April 21, 2016
New Zealand's All Blacks rugby union side perform the Haka before kick-off in their Test matches, with other Pacific Islands Test teams also performing their own traditional war dances.
A dim view is generally taken of mimicry however, even in flattery but most certainly if in jest.
Politicians in New Zealand reacted with anger to England World Cup-winner Matt Dawson's 'Hakarena' dance advert during the autumn's Rugby World Cup.
Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples branded Dawson's insulting and "shameful".
