Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
A Brazilian referee has slammed 23 red cards on players following a chaotic confrontation during the final of the Campeonato Mineiro between Cruzeiro Esporte Clube and Clube Atlético Mineiro as Atlético forward condemned the violence.
The incident was said to have happened late in the match on Sunday as tensions grew over during stoppage time of Cruzeiro’s narrow 1–0 victory over their rivals.
Trouble, they said started when Atlético goalkeeper brought down Cruzeiro midfielder Christian while attempting to recover a spilled ball.
The goalkeeper then knelt on the midfielder and shouted at him, sparking an angry response from Cruzeiro players.
It was said several players rushed toward Everson and pushed him into the net, triggering a mass confrontation near the goalpost.
The altercation quickly spiraled into a full-scale brawl as players from both sides went physical against one another.
Substitutes and members of the coaching staff also joined the melee while security personnel struggled to restore order.
The disorder lasted for more than a minute before the situation was eventually brought under control.
Brazilian outlet O Globo reported that although the match was completed without immediate dismissals, the referee later reviewed the incident and issued red cards to 23 players 12 from Cruzeiro and 11 from Atlético Mineiro.
Speaking on the incident, Atlético forward condemned the violence.
“It’s regrettable, I have never seen violence like that in any football game,” 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.”
