BRAZIL: A mass brawl during an under-20 football match in Brazil led to 51 red cards being issued, setting a new world record for the most dismissals in a football match.
The unprecedented incident occurred during the first leg of the Minas Gerais Under-20 Championship semi-final between Uberlandia and Mamore.
According to the referee’s report, 43 players and eight members of the two teams’ coaching staff were sent off following the confrontation.
The trouble began in the second half after Mamore player David celebrated a goal by making gestures towards the opposing team’s bench. Uberlandia goalkeeping coach Paulo Sergio Dias dos Santos then entered the pitch, triggering a confrontation between players from both sides.
Three players had already been shown red cards before the mass brawl erupted.
The violence also spilled into the stands, where damage was reported, prompting authorities to call the police.
The match was halted for around 40 minutes before the referee eventually abandoned it.
