Massive brawl in Mineiro Championship final leads to players getting record-breaking 23 red cards, Brazilian forward Hulk opens up on being hit The Mineiro Championship final in Belo Horizonte descended into chaos as a violent altercation erupted between players and staff, resulting in a record 23 red cards issued by officials. The incident overshadowed Cruzeiro’s 1-0 victory over Atletico Mineiro, marking one of the most contentious moments in Brazilian football history. The confrontation, which began moments before the final whistle, saw substitutes and coaching staff join the fray, escalating tensions on the pitch. The conflict started late in the match when Atletico Mineiro goalkeeper Everson collided with Cruzeiro midfielder Christian. The contact left Christian injured, and instead of retreating, Everson appeared to jump onto the midfielder while he was still on the ground, shouting at him. This act of aggression sparked outrage among Cruzeiro players, who rushed toward the goalkeeper and pushed him toward the goalpost. Within seconds, players from both teams surrounded the area, leading to a physical exchange of punches and kicks. The situation spiraled out of control, with players from both sides engaging in a chaotic fight that drew widespread condemnation. Officials reviewed the incident and handed out 23 red cards, breaking a decades-old record for the most dismissals in a single match. The severity of the punishment underscored the gravity of the situation, as the brawl not only disrupted the flow of the game but also raised serious concerns about discipline and safety in football. Brazilian forward Hulk, who was present during the incident, later spoke about his experience, revealing that he was struck by a flying kick during the chaos.#cruzeiro #everson #mineiro_championship #belo_horizonte #atletico_mineiro
Hulk Among 23 Players Red Carded in Brazil Championship Final Brawl The Mineiro Championship final between Cruzeiro and Atlético-MG ended in chaos as a mass brawl erupted moments before the final whistle, resulting in 23 red cards issued to players from both teams. The incident overshadowed Cruzeiro’s 1-0 victory, which secured their first state title since 2019. The conflict began with 30 seconds remaining in stoppage time when Atlético-MG goalkeeper Éverson blocked a shot from Cruzeiro’s Matheus Pereira. On the rebound, Éverson was tackled by Cruzeiro midfielder Christian, prompting the goalkeeper to confront the player by pinning him to the ground with his knee. The altercation quickly escalated as players from both teams rushed to intervene, while security personnel attempted to separate the groups. A video clip circulating online shows former Brazil international Hulk, 39, who has played for Atlético-MG since 2021, attempting to punch an opposing player during the scuffle. The match was halted for eight minutes as referee Matheus Delgado waited for the situation to de-escalate before signaling the final whistle to crown Cruzeiro champions. Cruzeiro striker Kaio Jorge, whose second-half goal secured the win, described the incident as a moment of necessity. “Of course we didn’t want the match to end like that, given the spectacle it was, but I couldn’t leave my teammates in trouble and just stand there,” Jorge said. He was among 12 Cruzeiro players who received red cards retrospectively, while Éverson was one of 11 Atlético-MG players dismissed. Both teams, coached by former Brazil manager Tite and another unnamed manager, are winless in four Serie A matches this season. The brawl highlighted the intense rivalry between the clubs, with tensions flaring despite the match’s decisive outcome.#cruzeiro #atltico_mg #christian #mineiro_championship #matheus_pereira
