Red cards have been issued to 23 players after a massive brawl broke out between Brazilian clubs Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro in the Campeonato Mineiro final.
Kaio Jorge scored the winner in Belo Horizonte as Cruzeiro, managed by former Brazil boss Tite, beat rivals Atletico 1-0 to become Minas Gerais state champions for the first time since 2019.
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But the match was marred by a violent melee in the final seconds, which forced security personnel and military police to intervene and led to the retrospective expulsion of 23 players, including former Atletico Brazilian striker Hulk.
The mass clash began when Atletico goalkeeper Everson pushed Christian to the ground and put his knee on the chest of the Cruzeiro midfielder, who had collided with him while chasing a loose ball.
Christian’s teammates immediately confronted Everson, pushing the goalkeeper into the goal post, sparking wider problems as more players joined in the play while security personnel attempted to separate the teams.
Although no red card was issued by referee Matheus Delgado Candancan during the match, according to a Brazilian media outlet Globo reported 23 players were later sent off because the fight prevented the match official from showing the cards on the field.
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Cruzeiro had 12 players sent off, including scorer Jorge. Former Atletico Madrid and Nottingham Forest full-back Renan Lodi and Hulk were among 11 Atletico players fired.
“It’s unfortunate,” Hulk said after the incident.
“We cannot set this example because it ends up having repercussions all over the world. We have the responsibility to safeguard our image and that of the institution.”
Atletico and Cruzeiro are winless after four Serie A games this season and sit 17th and 19th respectively in the Brazilian top flight.
