Hey Jo, where you're goin' with those green boots on your feet?

Corinthians’ veteran striker Jo wore green boots and enraged his own fans – because green is the colour of their bitter rivals Palmeiras. Corinthians have decided to fine their star to teach him a lesson and try to appease the fanbase.

Corinthians and Palmeiras share one of the fiercest and oldest rivalries in Brazilian football – the Paulista derby. It's ranked among the 10 greatest derbies in world football. Seeing one of their own players wearing an item of equipment of the rivals’ colour is clearly a big no-no.

The former Manchester City forward sparked backlash after wearing light green boots in Sunday's goalless draw away to Bahia in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A. After Corinthians fans were left outraged, the club sanctioned and warned the former Brazil international, who is prohibited from wearing the boots again, even in training.

"Sport Club Corinthians Paulista's football board communicates that they spoke with striker Jo about the use of football boots in the match against Bahia, this Sunday. The player was warned, fined and will not wear them again, neither in training or in games."

The striker, who played 20 games for his country, proclaimed his love for the club he represents and apologized for what he called "an unnecessary controversy" over footwear he said were in fact "turquoise blue."

"I would never use green boots because of my history with Corinthians, a club I have loved since I was little. I would never disrespect Corinthians, much less the fans. I have always honoured this shirt and I always will honour it."

The 34-year-old forward Jo has enjoyed a long, globe-trotting career in which he played for CSKA Moskva in Russia, Manchester City and Everton in England, Jiangsu Suning in China and a host of other clubs in between.

Whether the boots are green or turquoise blue, Jo will think very hard before getting any on in the future!