Things are getting ugly in Shanghai.

A payment dispute led to three foreign Shanghai Shenhua players skipping a Chinese Super League game on Sunday, arousing concerns that all of the team's foreign players and coach may leave if the conflict continue and evoking strong words from one of the team's owners.

Colombian midfielder Giovanni Moreno, Argentine halfback Rolando Schiavi and Argentine midfielder Patricio Toranzo missed the game against Liaoning Whowin in Shanghai on Sunday, confirming speculation that the trio would go on strike if they weren't paid.