"A total of 23 red cards were issued in the final few minutes after a mass brawl was sparked by an altercation between Atlético goalkeeper Éverson and Cruzeiro midfielder Christian, who tussled on the ground after colliding. The benches then emptied as players, substitutes and members of coaching staff clashed angrily on the field; pushing, shoving and even throwing punches at one another."
"We need to acknowledge our mistakes and learn from them. What happened yesterday does not represent the values that soccer should embody. Rivalry is part of the sport, but respect must always prevail over any emotion."
"The infamous 'Battle of Nuremberg' saw Russian referee Valentin Ivanov administer four red cards and 16 yellows in the round of 16, which is still the most cards shown in any single FIFA tournament game."
Cruzeiro won the 2026 Campeonato Mineiro regional final against local rivals Atlético-MG by one goal, but the match ended in chaos. A collision between Atlético goalkeeper Éverson and Cruzeiro midfielder Christian sparked a mass brawl involving players, substitutes, and coaching staff. Twenty-three red cards were issued in the final minutes as pushing, shoving, and punching erupted on the field. Former Brazil international Hulk initially tried to calm the situation but became caught up in the melee. Hulk later posted an apologetic Instagram statement acknowledging the mistake and emphasizing that rivalry must be accompanied by respect. Both teams await disciplinary charges, though this incident falls short of the record for dismissals in professional football.
Read at ESPN.com
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