Referee Issues World Record 53 Red Cards After Mass Brawl Erupts In Brazilian Youth Match

A world record of 53 red cards were shown during a chaotic under-20s game in Brazil.

The semi-final first leg of the Minas Gerais Under-20 Championship tie between Uberlandia and Mamore was marred by scenes that led to 43 players and eight members of coaching staff being sent off.

According to BBC Sport, There was also two Uberlandia board members dismissed, taking the tally up to 53.

The previous record was 36, in a 2011 fifth-division game between Club Atletico Claypole and Victoriano Arenas in Argentina.

Brazilian news outlet O Tempo reported the military police were called, external because of extensive damage to the Parque do Sabia Stadium.

According to the referee’s report, a brawl broke out in the second half after Mamores’ Davi taunted the opposition bench during celebrations when his side went 3-1 up.

Uberlandia goalkeeping coach Paulo Sergio Dias Dos Santos ran on to the pitch to confront him, sparking clashes and the subsequent dismissals, with three players having already been sent off earlier.

The police report referenced 14 broken doors, damaged shower facilities, broken windows and that benches, tables and chairs had been destroyed.

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The game was paused for approximately 40 minutes and then abandoned by referee Fernando Patrick Drosghic Modesto.

“In the 54th minute of the second ​half, a generalized brawl broke out, making it impossible to show the red cards and to carry ‌out the ⁠match-closing protocol,” Modesto wrote in his report.

“Therefore, owing to all the turmoil and the lack of security, I declared the match ended.”

Uberlandia have since confirmed, external that they have conceded the second leg of the semi-final because Mamore only have seven players available as a result of all the red cards.

They described their move as a “gesture of fair play” as Mamore would progress through to the final, and Uberlandia will instead focus on the third-place match.

“The club has also not remained silent: ​the appropriate disciplinary measures regarding those involved have already been taken internally, because athletic development is, above all, a ​matter of personal development,” Uberlandia added.