The unprecedented incident took place last Sunday during an Under-20 semi-final in the state of Minas Gerais. The match between Mamoré and Uberlândia descended into chaos in the second half after Mamoré took a 3-1 lead, triggering a confrontation that quickly escalated into a large-scale fight.
According to the referee’s report, 40 players and eight members of the coaching and support staff were sent off within minutes of the outbreak of violence. Three footballers had already received red cards earlier in the match. The situation became even more extraordinary when two members of Uberlândia’s board of directors were also dismissed, bringing the total number of people sent off to 53.
The incident has surpassed the previous record for the highest number of red cards issued in a single football match. That record stood at 36 and dated back to February 2011, when Argentine fifth-division sides Atlético Claypole and Victoriano Arenas were involved in a violent encounter.
How the confrontation began
The referee’s report identified the events surrounding Mamoré’s third goal as the starting point of the confrontation.
After the goal, Mamoré player Davi allegedly taunted the opposing team’s bench while celebrating. This provoked Uberlândia goalkeeping coach Paulo Sérgio Dias dos Santos, who reportedly ran on to the pitch to confront him.
The disagreement soon spread beyond the two individuals, with players and members of both teams becoming involved. What began as a confrontation quickly turned into a mass brawl, leaving the referee struggling to restore order.
The scale of the violence forced officials to suspend the match for around 40 minutes. With tensions remaining high and the situation showing little sign of returning to normal, the referee eventually abandoned the fixture.
The referee also alleged that several individuals threatened to kill him and made other threats of violence during the incident. According to his report, a police complaint was subsequently filed over the threats.
Allegations of damage after the match
The disorder reportedly continued beyond the pitch. Following the match, allegations emerged that Uberlândia officials had damaged Mamoré’s equipment, while members of the Mamoré squad were accused of vandalising the home team’s dressing room.
The allegations added another layer to an already serious incident, raising concerns about the conduct of those involved and the wider disciplinary consequences for both clubs.
Neither the full extent of the alleged damage nor the outcome of any investigation into the claims was detailed in the available report.
Uberlândia withdraws from second leg
On Wednesday, Uberlândia announced that it would not take part in the second leg of the semi-final. The club described the decision as a gesture of fair play and said it did not have enough suitable players available to assemble a team following the mass dismissals.
Its withdrawal meant Mamoré automatically secured qualification for the tournament final.
Uberlândia also said it had not remained silent over the incident and had taken appropriate internal disciplinary action against those involved.
In a statement, the club emphasised that sporting development must go hand in hand with personal development, underlining the importance of individual behaviour alongside performance on the pitch.
A record far beyond the previous mark
The previous record of 36 red cards was set in Argentina in 2011 during a match between Atlético Claypole and Victoriano Arenas. The Brazilian incident has exceeded that figure by 17 dismissals.
The total of 53 includes not only footballers but also coaching staff, club officials and members of the board. It is therefore an unusually broad disciplinary incident, extending well beyond the players directly involved in the match.
Red cards are intended to protect the integrity of football by allowing referees to remove individuals responsible for serious misconduct. However, an incident involving such a large number of dismissals, particularly in a youth competition, highlights the challenges of maintaining discipline and ensuring respect among players and club representatives.
The extraordinary scenes in Minas Gerais have turned what should have been a competitive Under-20 semi-final into an international talking point, with the record-breaking number of red cards overshadowing the football itself.
