World record broken as 53 red cards shown in Brazilian U-20 match

A Brazilian under-20 football match has made history for all the wrong reasons after a staggering 53 red cards were issued following a massive on-field brawl during a state championship semifinal.

The extraordinary incident occurred on Sunday during the first-leg semifinal clash between Uberlandia and Mamore in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, where tensions boiled over into a confrontation involving players, coaching staff and club officials.

According to Reuters, referee Fernando Patrick Drosghic Modesto detailed the incident in his official match report, explaining that the disorder began early in the second half after an Uberlandia player was sent off.

The situation escalated when several members of the Uberlandia technical staff entered the pitch in protest following the dismissal, forcing the referee to suspend proceedings.

The match was interrupted for approximately 40 minutes before play eventually resumed.

Also readLionel Messi wins second consecutive MLS golden boot after 26-goal season

Mamore subsequently extended their advantage in the ninth minute of stoppage time, taking a 3-1 lead. However, celebrations following the goal reportedly triggered another confrontation after Mamore player Davi allegedly taunted his opponents.

The incident developed into a widespread brawl, leaving the referee with an unprecedented disciplinary situation.

53 Red Cards Issued After Massive Brawl

In total, 53 red cards were recorded in the match, involving 43 players, eight members of the coaching staff and two Uberlandia board members.

Referee Drosghic Modesto explained in his report that the scale of the confrontation made it impossible to issue the dismissals individually while maintaining the normal match-closing procedures.

"In the 54th minute of the second half, a generalised brawl broke out, making it impossible to show the red cards and to carry out the match-closing protocol," he wrote.

"Therefore, owing to all the turmoil and the lack of security, I declared the match ended."

Also readNigeria makes history as first African nation to win FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup

The referee also disclosed that a police report had been filed following threats allegedly made against him.

Additionally, Mamore's dressing room was reportedly vandalised after the match, further highlighting the severity of the incident.

The previous world record was 36 Red Cards

The 53 dismissals have surpassed the previous Guinness World Record for the most red cards shown in a single football match.

The previous record stood at 36 red cards and was established in February 2011 during a fifth-division encounter in Argentina between Atletico Claypole and Victoriano Arenas.

The Brazilian incident has therefore attracted widespread attention because of the extraordinary number of players and officials involved in the confrontation.

Also readCAF names officials for Somalia vs Ghana AFCON 2027 clash

Uberlandia Forfeits Second Leg as Mamore Reaches Final

Following the chaotic first-leg encounter, Uberlandia announced on Wednesday that it would forfeit the second leg of the semifinal in what the club described as a "gesture of fair play".

The decision came after Mamore reportedly found itself without enough eligible players to fulfil the return fixture because of the mass dismissals.

The forfeit automatically handed Mamore qualification for the tournament final.

In a statement, Uberlandia said disciplinary action had already been taken internally against those involved in the incident.

"The club has also not remained silent: the appropriate disciplinary measures regarding those involved have already been taken internally because athletic development is, above all, a matter of personal development," the club added.

The extraordinary match has become one of football's most remarkable disciplinary incidents, with 53 red cards turning an under-20 semifinal into a record-breaking episode of violence and controversy.