Brazil under-20 match issues record 53 red cards after brawl
sportsNov 5, 20261120
In the Minas Gerais Under-20 Championship semi-final first leg between Uberlandia and Mamore, referee Fernando Patrick Drosghic Modesto issued a world-record 53 red cards after a mass brawl. The dismissals comprised 43 players, eight members of coaching staff and two Uberlandia board members. According to the referee's report, the fight erupted in the second half after Mamore's Davi taunted the opposition bench when his side went 3-1 up and Uberlandia goalkeeping coach Paulo Sergio Dias Dos Santos ran onto the pitch to confront him; three players had already been sent off earlier. Military police were called after damage at Parque do Sabia Stadium that a police report said included 14 broken doors, damaged shower facilities, broken windows and destroyed benches, tables and chairs. Modesto paused play for about 40 minutes then abandoned the match, writing that the brawl made it impossible to complete the match-closing protocol and declaring the match ended in the 54th minute of the second half. Uberlandia confirmed they conceded the second leg because Mamore were left with only seven available players, so Mamore progress to the final and Uberlandia will focus on the third-place match; Uberlandia said it has taken internal disciplinary measures.
