On November 1st, local time, during the first leg of the U20 football championship semifinals in Minas Gerais, Brazil, a major conflict broke out between the Uberlandia team and the Mamore team. A total of 53 players were sent off from the field, setting a world record. This included 43 players, 8 coaching staff members, and 2 members of the Uberlandia club's board of directors.
Previously, the world record for the number of red cards in a single match was 36, set during the 2011 Argentine fifth-division match between Clapoyola Sport Club and Victoriana Arenas.
Brazilian news outlet O Tempo reported that military police were called to the scene due to extensive damage to the Sabia Park Stadium.
According to the referee’s report, in the second half, player Davi from Amoretti celebrated and taunted the opposing team’s bench, leading to a fight between the two teams. Ubelândia’s goalkeeper coach, Paulo Sergio Dias dos Santos, ran onto the field to confront Davi, causing the conflict and resulting in several players being sent off; three players had already been sent off prior to this incident.
According to the police report, there were 14 damaged doors at the stadium, broken shower facilities, broken windows, and damaged benches, tables, and chairs. After a pause of about 40 minutes, referee Fernando Patrick DeRossig Mordosito stopped the game.
"The second half of the match saw a large-scale brawl break out in the 54th minute, which prevented me from showing a red card and completing the match procedures. Modest said, "Therefore, given the chaotic situation at the time and the absence of security personnel, I decided to end the competition."
Due to the red card penalty, Maroochydore has only 7 players available. Ubburndyah subsequently confirmed that they have abandoned the second leg of the semi-final. They called this move a "fair play gesture". Maroochydore will advance to the final, while Ubburndyah will focus on the third-place match.
Uberlandia added, “The club has not remained silent. We have taken appropriate disciplinary measures against the relevant personnel internally, because sports development is first and foremost a matter of personal development.”
