BELO HORIZONTE-(MaraviPost)-A dramatic football derby in Brazil descended into chaos after players from Cruzeiro Esporte Clube and Clube Atletico Mineiro engaged in a violent on field brawl during a match played in Belo Horizonte over the weekend.
The heated encounter took place during a major domestic competition in Brazil, a country widely known for its deep passion for football.
However, instead of the match being remembered for skill and entertainment, it was overshadowed by shocking scenes of violence among players.
Trouble started when Atletico Mineiro goalkeeper Everson collided with a Cruzeiro player while trying to defend a ball.
The challenge appeared aggressive, and the goalkeeper reportedly pushed the opponent to the ground after the incident.
The move immediately angered Cruzeiro players, who rushed toward the goalkeeper in protest.
Within moments, several players from both teams became involved, turning the disagreement into a heated confrontation.
What started as a dispute quickly escalated into a full scale fight on the pitch as players exchanged pushes, punches and kicks while officials struggled to restore order.
Substitutes and members of the technical benches also ran onto the field, further worsening the situation and making it difficult for referees and security personnel to control the chaos.
In response to the disorder, the referee took drastic action and issued a record number of red cards, sending off 23 players from both teams after the match.
Such mass expulsions are extremely rare in professional football and highlight how serious the incident became during the derby clash.
Interestingly, unlike many football disturbances where supporters trigger violence, this particular incident was caused entirely by the players themselves.
Security personnel eventually intervened and managed to separate the players after several tense minutes on the pitch.
Despite the ugly scenes, the match result remained valid with Cruzeiro Esporte Clube securing a narrow 1–0 victory over Clube Atletico Mineiro.
Brazilian football authorities are now expected to review the incident carefully and further disciplinary action could follow against those involved.