Brazilian U20 soccer match makes history with 51 red cards after mass brawl

A world record of 53 red cards was shown during a chaotic Brazilian under-20s football match. The semi-final first leg of the Minas Gerais Under-20 Championship between Uberlandia and Mamore saw 43 players and eight coaching staff sent off. This surpassed the previous record of 36 red cards set in a 2011 fifth-division game in Argentina.

Brazilian news outlet O Tempo reported that military police were called due to significant damage to Parque do Sabia Stadium. A brawl erupted in the second half after Mamore's Davi taunted the opposition bench upon his team leading 3-1. Uberlandia's goalkeeping coach, Paulo Sergio Dias Dos Santos, confronted Davi, leading to further clashes and the dismissals.

Three players had already been sent off before the chaos. The police report detailed 14 broken doors, damaged shower facilities, broken windows, and destruction of benches, tables, and chairs. The game, which was paused for about 40 minutes, was ultimately abandoned by referee Fernando Patrick Drosghic Modesto. Modesto stated, "In the 54th minute of the second half, a generalized brawl broke out, making it impossible to show the red cards and to carry out the match-closing protocol."

Uberlandia cited Mamore's limited player availability for their concession of the second leg, describing it as a "gesture of fair play." The club also noted internal disciplinary actions were taken.