Cruzeiro defeated Atletico Mineiro 1-0 in the Campeonato Mineiro final in Belo Horizonte. Jorge scored the winning goal for Cruzeiro. However, the match concluded with a massive brawl that involved players from both teams.
The violence began when Everson, the Atletico Mineiro goalkeeper, pushed Christian, the Cruzeiro midfielder, to the ground. Everson then placed his knee on Christian’s chest. This action sparked immediate confrontations.
Players, substitutes, and coaching staff joined the fight. The brawl lasted over a minute and spread across the field. Security personnel and military police intervened to restore order.
Matheus Delgado Candancan, the referee, did not issue red cards during the chaos. Instead, he filed a report after the match. The report confirmed 23 red cards in total.
Cruzeiro received 12 red cards, including one for Jorge. Atletico Mineiro got 11, with Hulk and Renan Lodi among those dismissed. This number broke the previous Brazilian record of 22 red cards from a 1954 match between Portuguesa and Botafogo.
Furthermore, the dismissals affected key players. Hulk, the former Brazil forward, punched an opponent on the back of the head. In response, a Cruzeiro player kicked Hulk in the chest.
Hulk blamed the referee for the incident. He stated, “What we saw on the pitch is not the example we want to set.”
Additionally, Hulk highlighted the referee’s role in escalating tensions. He said the official failed to manage the game properly, which led to the brawl.
Renan Lodi, the former Atletico Madrid and Nottingham Forest full-back, also received a red card. However he did not provide a public statement on the matter.
The event drew widespread attention on social media. Videos showed the extent of the violence. Both clubs faced potential fines and suspensions.
Authorities launched an investigation into the brawl. Meanwhile, the match result stood, and Cruzeiro claimed the title. This incident underscored ongoing issues with discipline in Brazilian football.
