Brazilian football match sees record 53 red cards after brawl

MINAS GERAIS: A Brazilian under-20 football match descended into unprecedented chaos after a massive on-field brawl forced the referee to issue a staggering 53 red cards, setting a remarkable disciplinary record in the sport.

The extraordinary incident occurred during the first leg of a state championship semifinal between Uberlandia and Mamore in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais on Sunday.

According to the referee’s official report, the trouble began early in the second half when several Uberlandia officials entered the pitch following the dismissal of one of their players.

The incident forced officials to suspend the match for around 40 minutes before play eventually resumed.

However, tensions escalated further when Mamore scored in the ninth minute of stoppage time to extend their advantage to 3-1.

Brazilian media reports said Mamore player Davi taunted Uberlandia’s players during his team’s goal celebrations, triggering a massive confrontation involving players, coaching staff and officials from both sides.

The resulting chaos left the referee, Fernando Patrick Drosghic Modesto, facing an extraordinary disciplinary situation.

A total of 43 players and eight members of the coaching staff received red cards, while two Uberlandia board members were also dismissed, taking the overall tally to 53.

In his match report, the referee explained that the scale of the confrontation made it impossible to issue all the dismissals individually or complete the usual match-ending procedures.

He also confirmed that the match was eventually abandoned because of the unrest and security concerns.

Drosghic Modesto further reported that a police complaint had been filed over threats directed at him. He also alleged that Mamore players vandalised their dressing room after the match.

The incident has reportedly surpassed the previous Guinness World Record of 36 red cards issued during a fifth-division Argentine match between Atletico Claypole and Victoriano Arenas in February 2011.

Meanwhile, Uberlandia announced on Wednesday that it would forfeit the second leg of the semifinal in what it described as a gesture of fair play.

The club said Mamore did not have enough eligible players available to field a team following the mass dismissals.

As a result, Mamore advanced to the tournament final.

Uberlandia also confirmed that internal disciplinary action had already been taken against those involved, stressing that sporting development should go hand in hand with personal responsibility.

The extraordinary match has sparked attention across the football world, turning a youth championship semifinal into one of the most remarkable disciplinary incidents in the sport’s history.