World Record 51 Red Cards Shown in Chaotic Brazilian Under-20 Match

A semi-final in Brazil’s Minas Gerais Under-20 Championship has entered the record books for all the wrong reasons after 51 red cards were issued in a single match.

The first leg between Uberlandia and Mamore saw 43 players and eight members of the coaching staff dismissed, smashing the previous record of 36 set in a 2011 fifth-division fixture in Argentina between Club Atletico Claypole and Victoriano Arenas.

How It Unravelled

The trouble began in the second half after Mamore’s Davi celebrated his side’s third goal by taunting the opposition bench. The referee’s report states that the provocation sparked a mass brawl.

Uberlandia goalkeeping coach Paulo Sergio Dias Dos Santos ran onto the pitch to confront the player, igniting wider clashes that led to the wave of dismissals. Three players had already been sent off earlier in the match.

Referee Fernando Patrick Drosghic Modesto paused the game for roughly 40 minutes before abandoning it altogether.

Police Called to Stadium

Brazilian outlet O Tempo reported that military police were summoned from outside the Parque do Sabia Stadium following extensive damage to the venue.

According to the police report, 14 doors were broken, shower facilities and windows were damaged, and benches, tables and chairs were destroyed.

Uberlandia Concede Second Leg

The fallout continued after the match. Uberlandia confirmed they have conceded the second leg of the semi-final because Mamore can only field seven players — all the others being suspended following the red cards.

Uberlandia described the decision as a “gesture of fair play.” Mamore will advance to the final, while Uberlandia will instead contest the third-place match.

A Record Nobody Wants

The 51 dismissals dwarf the previous world record and highlight growing concerns about discipline and crowd control at youth level. The Minas Gerais football federation is expected to review the referee’s report before deciding on any further sanctions.