Chaos in Brazil: 23 expelled after a pitched battle in the classic between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro

Brazilian football once again witnessed an episode of extreme violence. Although Cruzeiro won the Campeonato Mineiro after beating Atlético Mineiro 1-0 in the Belo Horizonte classic, the definition was completely overshadowed by a scandalous final that ended with a pitched battle between the players and a record

of expulsions in Brazilian football.

The match seemed on track when the local team won thanks to Kaio Jorge's goal in the first half. At the close, Atlético Mineiro was looking for a tie and tension exploded in the

first minute of addition.

It all started when visiting goalkeeper Everson controlled the ball inside the box and midfielder Christian went to contest the rebound. The clash between the two sparked the reaction of the goalkeeper, who threw the rival to the ground while demanding him.

In a matter of seconds, players from both teams approached each other and the argument led to a generalized fight.

The situation escalated rapidly with thrusts, pineapples and flying kicks in different sectors of the field. In addition, among the protagonists there were several Argentines. Lucas Romero was hit in the back by forward Hulk, while Lucas Villalba responded with a flying kick against the Brazilian attacker, who

then tried to seek revenge.

Argentinian coach Eduardo Domínguez, Mineiro's brand-new coach, was also seen trying to separate the players in the midst of chaos.

Even alternates and members of the technical corps joined the turmoil, forcing security personnel and police to intervene to control the situation.

Despite the magnitude of the scandal, referee Matheus Candançan did not expel any players during the match.

However, hours later, the official record reflected a historic decision: the judge reported the expulsion of 23 players for their participation

in the brawl.

In the arbitration report, Candançan noted that the origin of the conflict was the cross between Everson and Christian. “After receiving a foul, he knocked down his opponent, charged him and brutally hit number 88 (Christian) in the face with the knee. I clarify that after this action, a generalized fight broke out, which made it impossible to show him the red card,” he explained in his report about his

expulsion from the goalkeeper.

"For hitting his opponent, number 22 (Everson), in the head, with excessive force and intensity, when the ball was already in the goalkeeper's possession. I clarify that after this action, a general brawl broke out, which made it impossible to show the red card,” he explained in the expulsion

of Cristian.

For the other 21 players who had red, the referee gave the same justification: "He was expelled for hitting and kicking his opponents during the fight after the end of the match, and it was not possible to show him a red card due to the chaos.”

With that number of people sanctioned, the classic between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro became the match with the most expulsions in the history of Brazilian football, surpassing the 22 reds recorded in a match between Portuguesa and Botafogo in 1954.

It should be clarified that the world record, according to Guiness, is held by a match between Claypole and Victoriano Arenas in 2011 for First D, where 36 players saw the red one.

Beyond the scandal, Cruzeiro won his 19th state title, the first since 2019, and also cut the streak of five consecutive championships that his classic rival had won. As for sanctions, according to the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice, they will only be carried out in competitions organized by the Minas Gerais Football Federation

.

All those expelled

ATLÉTICO MINEIRO 1

. Everson

2. Gabriel Delfim

3. Precious

4. Lyanco

5.

Ruan Tressoldi 6. Junior Alonso