Brazilian under-20 match brawl brings 53 red cards, described as world record

A total of 53 red cards were recorded after a brawl at an under-20 match in Brazil. The match between Uberlandia and Mamore was the first leg of a Minas Gerais state championship semi-final.

The total comprised 43 red cards for players, eight for coaching staff and two for Uberlandia board members. Al Jazeera and the BBC both describe it as a world record. The previous mark was 36, set in a 2011 fifth-division match in Argentina between Atletico Claypole and Victoriano Arenas. Al Jazeera specifically calls it a Guinness World Record, but the reports do not describe any verification by Guinness World Records.

The brawl followed the goal that put Mamore 3-1 ahead. The match was stopped for about 40 minutes.

Referee Fernando Patrick Drosghic Modesto wrote in his match report, as quoted by Al Jazeera: "In the 54th minute of the second half, a generalised brawl broke out, making it impossible to show the red cards and to carry out the match-closing protocol." He added: "Therefore, owing to all the turmoil and the lack of security, I declared the match ended."

Uberlandia later conceded the second leg because Mamore lacked enough available players. Mamore advance to the final as a result.

Al Jazeera and the BBC both draw on the referee's report for parts of their accounts, so those parts share one origin. For the taunt linked to the brawl, however, Al Jazeera credits Brazilian media, while the BBC credits the referee's report.

What else is reported

According to Al Jazeera, the match took place on Sunday, Mamore's third goal came in the ninth minute of stoppage time, and Uberlandia announced its decision on Wednesday. The BBC reports that three players had already been sent off before the brawl. It also says Mamore had only seven players available for the second leg, and that Uberlandia will focus on the third-place match.

According to the BBC, Uberlandia goalkeeping coach Paulo Sergio Dias Dos Santos ran on to the pitch to confront a person it names as Davi, sparking clashes and the subsequent dismissals.

Al Jazeera says the referee's report mentions a police report over threats against the referee. The BBC cites Brazilian outlet O Tempo as reporting that military police were called because of extensive damage to the Parque do Sabia Stadium. The BBC says a police report referenced 14 broken doors, damaged showers, broken windows, and destroyed benches, tables and chairs.

What is disputed

• The stoppage: Al Jazeera places it after an early second-half field invasion by Uberlandia officials, who entered after one of their players was sent off. Play then resumed before the 3-1 goal. The BBC's account places the goal and brawl first, then the pause.
• The taunt: Al Jazeera, citing Brazilian media, says Davi taunted Uberlandia players during the goal celebrations. The BBC, citing the referee's report, says he taunted the opposition bench.

What each side says

• The referee says he ended the match because of the turmoil and lack of security. Al Jazeera reports he also said Mamore's team vandalised the dressing room after the match.
• Uberlandia called conceding the second leg a "gesture of fair play". According to the BBC, it said: "the appropriate disciplinary measures regarding those involved have already been taken internally".
• Mamore, Davi and Paulo Sergio Dias Dos Santos: the reports do not include any response from them.

Analysis

The case raises questions the reports do not yet answer. They do not explain how 53 red cards were issued when the referee says the brawl made showing them impossible. They also do not describe any action by competition organisers or football authorities, or say whether the 3-1 score stands. If authorities do review the match, the referee's report would likely be central, along with any police findings. The differing accounts of the stoppage and the taunt could also matter. Uberlandia's internal measures remain unspecified, so their scope cannot be assessed.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.