23 Players Sent Off As Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro Brawl Mar Campeonato Mineiro Final
The Campeonato Mineiro final in Brazil erupted into chaos as a massive brawl between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro saw 23 players ultimately handed dismissals. Cruzeiro secured a narrow 1-0 victory in Belo Horizonte, winning the Minas Gerais state title for the first time since 2019. Kaio Jorge scored the decisive goal, giving Cruzeiro the trophy under the guidance of former Brazil coach Tite. But the match ended in turmoil. The confrontation began when Atlético goalkeeper Everson shoved Cruzeiro midfielder Christian during a collision while chasing a loose ball, then pressed his knee against the player’s chest. The move sparked an immediate response from Cruzeiro’s players. Both teams’ players rushed in, leading to shoving, grappling, and a chaotic scene on the field. At one point, Everson was pushed into his own goalpost. Security personnel and military police had to intervene to separate the players. Referee Matheus Delgado Candancan did not issue any red cards during the match itself, but Brazilian media outlet Globo reported that disciplinary action was taken afterwards. In total, 23 players were retrospectively sent off—12 from Cruzeiro, including Kaio Jorge, and 11 from Atlético Mineiro, including former Brazil striker Hulk and ex-Atlético Madrid and Nottingham Forest defender Renan Lodi. Hulk condemned the incident, stating, “It’s regrettable. We cannot set that example because it ends up having repercussions all around the world. We have a responsibility to safeguard our image and the image of the institution.” Despite the drama in the state final, both Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro continue to struggle in the national league, remaining winless after four matches in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A this season.