A record 51 red cards were issued following a mass brawl during a youth soccer match in Brazil.
According to the BBC and other media outlets Wednesday, a fight broke out during the first leg of the semifinals of the Minas Gerais Under-20 Championship between Uberlandia and Mamore, resulting in the dismissal of 43 players and eight coaching staff members.
The incident broke the previous record of 36 dismissals in a single match, set in 2011 during an Argentine fifth-division game between Club Atletico Claypole and Victoriano Arenas.
According to the referee's report, the brawl began in the second half after Mamore's Davi scored his team's third goal to extend its lead to 3-1 and made a provocative gesture toward the opposing bench during his celebration.
Uberlandia's goalkeeping coach then rushed onto the field and confronted Davi, sparking a confrontation between players from both teams that escalated into a mass brawl.
Three players had already been sent off before the fight erupted.
Brazilian media reported extensive damage to facilities at Parque do Sabia Stadium, prompting military police to respond.
A police report said 14 doors were damaged, shower facilities were destroyed and windows were broken.
The match was suspended for about 40 minutes before the referee ultimately called it off.
Uberlandia subsequently announced that it would forfeit the second leg of the semifinals.
The club explained that the mass dismissals had left Mamore with only seven eligible players, the minimum number required under competition rules, and described its decision as an "act in the spirit of fair play."
As a result, Mamore advanced to the final, while Uberlandia is scheduled to compete in the third-place playoff.
(This article was produced with the assistance of AI. — Ed.)
