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Brazilian title chasers protest against away game ruling

"This decision adversely affects Gremio and benefits Sao Paulo," president Paulo Odone told the club's website (www.gremio.com.br).

A row over ticket prices for Sao Paulo's match added to mounting tension in the countdown to the last weekend of the 38-match campaign.

Goias also caused a stir by announcing they would charge an average 400 reais (£108) for tickets and, although they later reduced it to 250 reais (£68), the amount was still considered outrageously high.

"The supporters don't have this sort of money to spend on football," said Sao Paulo midfielder Hernanes, widely regarded as the top player in the championship.

"The family has to come first. With the complicated situation in Brazil I don't advise anyone to go."

"We haven't lost for 18 games, we have the best attack in the competition and depend on ourselves to win the title," he said.

"I don't see how anyone can criticise our team."

Sunday's games will also decide the four teams to qualify for next year's South American Libertadores Cup and the two remaining sides who will join relegated Ipatinga and Portuguesa in Serie B.

They are 18th in the 20-team table on 40 points, two behind 16th-placed Atletico Paranaense who face Vasco's arch rivals Flamengo.

Flamengo fans painted the words "throw the game" on the walls of the club's headquarters overnight, although the graffiti was quickly removed.

"The supporters should be having a barbecue and celebrating," said goalkeeper Bruno. "In any case we are professionals and we have to go on the pitch to win."