Police Rush In as Brazil Match Explodes Into Historic Brawl, Shattering Red Card World Record

The first leg of the Minas Gerais U-20 Championship semifinals between Uberlândia and Mamoré descended into chaos, resulting in a staggering 53 red cards after a mass brawl required intervention from military police.

Three players had already received their marching orders by the time Mamoré took a 3–1 lead over Uberlândia in the 54th minute. Mamoré's Davi Fernandes Bittencourt celebrated the goal directly in front of the opposing bench, provoking an aggressive reaction from goalkeeper coach Paulo Sérgio Dias dos Santos that ignited a massive brawl.

Players, substitutes, and staff members all became embroiled in a massive fight that ultimately resulted in 53 red cards being issued throughout the match. Forty-three players were dismissed along with eight coaches and two Uberlândia officials.

The final count of 53 red cards easily eclipses the record recognized by Guinness World Records—the 36 shown during an Argentinian fifth-division clash between Club Atlético Claypole and Victoriano Arenas in 2011—though that organization only tracks professional matches and is not anticipated to declare a new record.

O futebol ficou em segundo plano no jogo de ida da semifinal da Segunda Divisão do Campeonato Mineiro Sub-20, entre Uberlândia e Mamoré, no último domingo (1º/11). Apesar da vitória do Mamoré por 3 a 1, no Estádio Parque do Sabiá, em Uberlândia, no Triângulo Mineiro, o que chamou… pic.twitter.com/6QpmZB2KRG

The match, which had already been held up by 40 minutes after Uberlândia officials invaded the pitch to contest an earlier red card, was ultimately abandoned due to the brawl, with military police summoned to help quell a fight that spilled into the locker rooms and caused extensive damage to the stadium's facilities.

Video footage of the destruction reveals broken doors, sinks, toilets, showers, benches, and numerous other items, while smashed windows and damaged electrical wiring were also reported.

"I hereby inform you that, at the moment I was about to present the red cards to player number 02 of Mamoré and the goalkeeping coach of Uberlândia, at 54 minutes of the second half, a general brawl broke out, making it impossible to present the red cards and carry out the protocol to end the match," said referee Fernando Patrick Drosghic Modesto in an official statement.

The two teams had been scheduled to play the second leg of the tie over the weekend, but unsurprisingly, that fixture will no longer take place.

Every Red Card Shown

Uberlândia (28)

Mamoré (25)

Uberlândia Accept Defeat—But Issue Is Far From Over

Uberlândia, trailing 3–1 when the match was abandoned, released a statement confirming they have accepted elimination from the competition as a "gesture of fair play" toward Mamoré, who are now left with only seven eligible players due to the wave of suspensions handed down.

"Verdão seeks its victories on the field, with merit and respect for the opponent, and therefore recognizes Mamoré's qualification for the final," the club's statement read.

While the on-field chaos may have subsided, the incident is now in the hands of authorities, who are investigating whether additional charges should be brought against any of the individuals involved.