A chaotic mass brawl erupted during the Campeonato Mineiro state football final in Brazil, leading to an astonishing 23 players being sent off after the match. The incident occurred towards the end of Cruzeiro's narrow 1-0 victory over their fierce rivals Atletico Mineiro on Sunday, casting a dark shadow over the championship decider.
Violence Erupts Late in Cruzeiro's Triumph
The match, which determined the champion of the Minas Gerais state league, descended into chaos in the latter stages. A confrontation between Atletico Mineiro goalkeeper Everson and Cruzeiro midfielder Christian sparked the melee, with Everson pushing Christian to the ground and placing his knee on his chest. This aggressive act immediately provoked a furious response from Cruzeiro players, who shoved Everson into a goalpost, igniting a wider brawl.
Security and Police Forced to Intervene
Security staff and military police were compelled to intervene as punches and kicks were thrown by members of both clubs. The scene turned into a full-scale altercation, with officials struggling to separate the enraged players. Despite the visible chaos on the pitch, referee Matheus Delgado Candancan did not issue any red cards during the incident itself.
However, in his post-match report, it was revealed that a total of 23 players received red cards retrospectively. According to Brazilian outlet Globo, 12 Cruzeiro players and 11 Atletico Mineiro squad members were shown red cards, making it one of the most disciplinary-heavy finals in recent memory.
High-Profile Players Involved in the Fracas
Former Brazil international forward Hulk was among those captured on video throwing punches during the brawl. Former Nottingham Forest defender Renan Lodi was also one of the Atletico Mineiro players sent off in the aftermath. Despite the turmoil, Cruzeiro managed to secure a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Kaio Jorge, claiming the state championship title for the first time since 2019.
Hulk Criticises Referee's Handling
Hulk later described the incident as "regrettable" but placed blame on the referee for lacking authority. "I told the referee from the beginning of the game that things were going to go wrong. He lacked character. If he has to send off one, two, three players, he should send them off! He was afraid to referee the final," Hulk stated, as reported by Globo.
The forward expressed remorse over the brawl's global repercussions, adding, "We cannot set that example because it ends up having repercussions all around the world. We have a responsibility to safeguard our image and the image of the institution."
Aftermath and Future Fixtures
While the final concluded the Campeonato Mineiro campaign, both teams continue to compete in the Brazilian Serie A. After just four games of the new season, Cruzeiro sit in 19th place, with Atletico Mineiro in 17th. The rivals are scheduled to meet again in the league during the weekend of 3 May, raising concerns about potential tensions reigniting.
This incident highlights ongoing issues with discipline and officiating in Brazilian football, sparking debates about player conduct and referee control in high-stakes matches. The mass brawl has drawn international attention, underscoring the need for stricter measures to prevent such scenes in future competitions.
