TOKYO - A BRAZILIAN striker has been cautioned by his Japanese club for changing his shorts in full view of the crowd.

Kashima Antlers forward Marquinhos had his shorts on back-to-front, and made the requisite change at the side of the pitch during the July 15 game against Kawasaki Frontale.

While it was an incident that would not raise an eyebrow in most parts of the world, Kashima president Kazumi Ohigashi displayed Japan's reputation for social propriety by admonishing his striker.

'You've got to confirm these things before the match,' team president Kazumi Ohigashi said in Saturday's Nikkansports newspaper.

'I'd like him to be more organised.'

The J-League's defending champions won the game 1-0 and have an eight-point lead in the standings. Marquinhos is one the team's top players and has six goals in 17 games this season. -- AP