A record-breaking 23 players received red cards following a violent mass brawl during Sunday’s Campeonato Mineiro final between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro in Belo Horizonte.
The chaotic scenes overshadowed what should have been a triumphant occasion for Cruzeiro, who secured their 39th Minas Gerais state championship thanks to Kaio Jorge’s solitary strike.
The victory marked the club’s first regional title since 2019, with former Brazil national team manager Tite now at the helm.
The unprecedented number of dismissals surpassed the previous Brazilian record of 22 red cards, which had stood since a 1954 encounter between Portuguesa and Botafogo.
The violence erupted during second-half stoppage time when Atletico goalkeeper Everson shoved Cruzeiro midfielder Christian to the turf following a collision as the player chased a loose ball.
With Christian lying on the ground, Everson positioned himself over the prone midfielder and directed words at him, further inflaming tensions.
Cruzeiro players immediately rushed to confront the goalkeeper, with one appearing to strike him from behind.
The altercation rapidly escalated into a full-scale melee that engulfed the goalmouth, the six-yard box and areas beyond the pitch itself.
A record-breaking 23 players received red cards following a violent mass brawl during Sunday’s Campeonato Mineiro final
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Substitutes and coaching staff from both clubs joined the fracas as security personnel and military police struggled to restore order.
Among those caught up in the violence was Hulk, the 39-year-old former Porto and Zenit St Petersburg forward who remains a prominent figure in Brazilian football.
Video footage captured the ex-Brazil international throwing a punch at the back of Cruzeiro captain Lucas Romero’s head, catching him completely unaware and sending him to the ground.
The striker was subsequently branded a “coward” for the attack and later expressed remorse to local media.
The chaotic scenes overshadowed what should have been a triumphant occasion for Cruzeiro
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Hulk said: “It’s regrettable, I have never seen violence like that in any football game.
“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.”
Referee Matheus Delgado Candancan did not issue the red cards during the match itself, with Brazilian outlet Globo reporting that the 23 dismissals were handed out retrospectively after the brawl prevented the official from showing cards on the pitch.
Among those caught up in the violence was Hulk, who remains a prominent figure in Brazilian football
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Cruzeiro had 12 players sent off including goalscorer Jorge, while Atletico saw 11 dismissed, among them former Atletico Madrid and Nottingham Forest defender Renan Lodi alongside Hulk.
The Brazilian Football Confederation is expected to impose significant sanctions on both clubs.
The Cruzeiro coach thanked fans for their support after the win.
Neither side has won in Serie A this season after four matches, with Atletico sitting 17th and Cruzeiro 19th in the top flight.
