23 Players Sent Off in Violent Brawl at Mineiro Final

In a dramatic conclusion to the Campeonato Mineiro final held in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, a mass brawl erupted between players of Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro, resulting in 23 players being sent off. The conflict began when Atletico goalkeeper Everson pushed Cruzeiro midfielder Christian to the ground, igniting a confrontation that involved multiple players.

The referee, Matheu Delgado, initially did not issue any red cards, but as the situation escalated, military police had to intervene. Ultimately, 12 players from Cruzeiro, including goalscorer Kaio Jorg, and 11 players from Atletico, including former Brazil forward Hulk, were dismissed.

This incident marks a record for the number of red cards issued in a senior match, surpassing a previous record set in February 2011. The post-match report described the brawl as regrettable, with Hulk emphasizing the need for better conduct to safeguard the sport's image.

Atletico Mineiro's performance has been under scrutiny, as they sit 17th in the Brazilian top flight.