Brazilian youth football match sees 53 dismissals after mass brawl
A youth football match in Brazil has reportedly broken the world record for the most dismissals in a single game after a mass brawl resulted in 53 red cards being issued.
The incident occurred Sunday during the first leg of a semifinal in the second division of the Minas Gerais state under-20 championship, involving Uberlandia and Mamore at Parque do Sabia Stadium.
According to referee Fernando Patrick Drosghic Modesto's official match report, 43 players, eight members of the coaching staff and two Uberlandia club officials were sent off.
The confrontation broke out during stoppage time after Mamore scored to take a 3-1 lead.
Brazilian media reported that a Mamore player taunted the Uberlandia bench during the goal celebration, triggering a mass confrontation involving players and coaching staff.
The referee said the scale of the disorder made it impossible to issue all the red cards on the pitch. He eventually abandoned the match because of insufficient security.
Modesto also reported that threats were made against him, prompting the filing of a police report.
Previous record stands at 36 red cards
The reported total surpasses the previous Guinness World Records record of 36 red cards, issued during a fifth-division Argentine match between Atletico Claypole and Victoriano Arenas in February 2011.
However, Guinness World Records has not publicly confirmed the new record.
Uberlandia subsequently announced that it would forfeit the second leg of the semifinal, allowing Mamore to advance directly to the final.
Source:AA
