Oscar given eight-match ban for inciting Chinese Super League brawl

 

 

Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar has been given an eight-match ban and a fine by Chinese football authorities after he was judged to have instigated a mass brawl in Shanghai SIPG's draw with Guangzhou R&F on Sunday.
Oscar, 25, has also been fined 40,000 RMB (£4,623.50) in a move that will deprive Andre Villas-Boas of the services of the player until mid-August as the Chinese Football Association seeks to protect the reputation of the country's premier domestic competition.
"According to the referee's report, video evidence and a written explanation from the parties involved, when the game reached the 45+2 minute SIPG player Oscar offended opposing players in an immoral manner, leading to a massive brawl which has had a very bad influence on the Chinese Super League's reputation," an official statement said.

The incident involving Oscar started after referee Zhou Gang had allowed Hulk's equaliser to stand despite protests from the Guangzhou players that he was offside when he received Oscar's pass.
Soon after the restart, Oscar twice kicked the ball into R&F players, sparking a melee that ended with Guangzhou's Li Tixiang and Fu Huan of Shanghai being sent off.
Oscar joined SIPG from Chelsea in January as the club broke the Asian transfer record to sign the Brazil international for €60m, breaking the record they had set the previous June to purchase Hulk from Zenit St Petersburg.

Oscar's ban is the second time this season the Chinese Football Association has punished a player who has made international headlines for indiscipline.
Shanghai Shenhua's Qin Sheng was banned for six months in March for stamping on the foot of Tianjin Quanjian's Belgium international Axel Witsel in a game broadcast internationally.