Shanghai SIPG warn fans over Oscar protest

Shanghai SIPG told fans to "be free of arrogance and rashness"after angry supporters of the Chinese Super 
League club lashed out at an eight-game ban slapped on star player Oscar.

The Brazilian international was hit with the ban last week 
for triggering an all-out brawl in a CSL clash at Guangzhou R&F, while three others were also handed lesser suspensions.

Oscar has made no public comment on his lengthy ban, 
but he was pictured on social media before his suspension wearing a white T-shirt with the words "NOTHING TO DO, NOTHING TO SAY".

During last weekend's 4-1 home thumping of Henan 
Jianye, the first game of Oscar's ban, fellow Brazilian Hulk wore a T-shirt with the same phrase and fans displayed a banner saying the same thing.

But on Tuesday the Shanghai club, currently second in the CSL under manager Andre Villas-Boas, published an open letter on social media urging fans to move on.

"The club very much thanks all the SIPG fans' love to us 
and we are deeply moved by the fans' passion," the club 
said, referring to the large banner echoing the new Oscar
catchphrase.

"However, we have to say, this type of irrational behaviour 
will inevitably cause a bad social impact to SIPG, SIPG 
players and SIPG fans and it is against our initial intention of 'positive energy in Shanghai'."

The club told fans to "cherish and maintain our 
good image together and to keep a clear head. Be free 
of arrogance and rashness..."

Oscar, 25, an Asian-record, 60-million-euro capture this season from Chelsea, will not return until August and will 
miss next month's top-of-the-table clash with Guangzhou Evergrande while he serves his ban.

After Sunday's big win he tweeted a photo of the 
banner supporting him and wrote: "Great win yesterday and thank you for your support. Let's go together!!!"