23 players shown red card and sent off after mass brawl during football match in Brazil

Cruzeiro were crowned champions of the Campeonato Mineiro after defeating rivals Atletico Mineiro 1–0 in a heated final that later saw 23 players sent off following a mass brawl.

Kaio Jorge scored the decisive goal in Belo Horizonte as Cruzeiro, managed by former Brazil national football team coach Tite, secured their first Minas Gerais state title since 2019.

However, the match ended in chaos during the final moments when a violent confrontation broke out between players from both sides. The incident began when Atletico goalkeeper Everson pushed Cruzeiro midfielder Christian to the ground and placed his knee on the player’s chest after a collision while chasing a loose ball.

Christian’s teammates quickly rushed to confront Everson, shoving the goalkeeper into the goalpost. The altercation rapidly escalated as more players from both teams joined the confrontation while security staff attempted to separate them.

Although referee Matheus Delgado Candancan did not issue any red cards during the match itself, Brazilian media outlet Globo later reported that 23 players were retrospectively sent off because the scale of the fight prevented the referee from showing cards on the pitch.

Cruzeiro had 12 players dismissed, including goalscorer Kaio Jorge. Atletico Mineiro saw 11 players sent off, among them former Atletico Madrid and Nottingham Forest defender Renan Lodi and former Brazil international Hulk.

Speaking after the incident, Hulk described the scenes as regrettable. “It’s regrettable,” he said. “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.”

Both teams have struggled in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A this season. After four matches, Atletico Mineiro sit 17th in the table while Cruzeiro occupy 19th place.