Chaos broke out at the Campeonato Mineiro final between Cruzeiro and their fierce local rivals, Atlético Mineiro, leading to 23 players from both sides being sent off in Brazil.
The confrontation on Sunday in Belo Horizonte was sparked deep in stoppage time of Cruzeiro’s 1-0 win when Atlético’s goalkeeper Everson rugby-tackled Christian to the ground after the midfielder collided with him when contesting a ball the keeper had spilled.
Everson kneeled on Christian, catching Christian’s face, then shouted at his prone opponent while applying pressure to Christian’s back. That prompted an angry reaction from Cruzeiro players, who confronted Everson, pushing him into the net and triggering a melee.
A brawl that began next to the goal spilled well inside the other half, with players kicking, punching and pushing while security staff and others tried to separate them. The violence, which also involved substitutes and members of the coaching staff, lasted for more than a minute, and O Globo reported that although the game was completed without sendings-off, the referee retrospectively issued 23 red cards, 12 to Cruzeiro players and 11 to Atlético players.
“It’s regrettable, I have never seen violence like that in any football game,” Atlético’s former Brazil forward Hulk said. “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.”
Cruzeiro’s coach, Tite, a former Brazil manager, thanked the fans for their support after the win.
“I want to convey to the Cruzeiro fans the affection and respect I have for them.
“I may lack competence at times, but respect for the fans, the work, the dignity, the honesty, that’s what counts,” he said.
The affected players were Gagner, F.Bruno, J. Marcelo, L.Villalba, K.Pitrates, Christian, L.Romero, H.Henrique, Wallace, Gerson, C.Ramos, K.Jorge, Everson, G.Delfim, A.Preciado, Lyanco, R.Tressoldi, Jr Alonso, R.Lodi, A.franco, M.Cassierra, Hulk, A.Minda, who all got the cards at 90+6 minutes.
See video below:
𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝟐𝟑 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐥
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) March 9, 2026
Chaos broke out at the Campeonato Mineiro final between Cruzeiro and their fierce local rivals, Atlético Mineiro, leading to 23 players from both sides being sent off in Brazil.… pic.twitter.com/qVY8DXqgYg
