Referee Anderson Daronco dismissed 23 players following a mass brawl during the Mineiro derby between Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro. The violence erupted in the closing stages of the match at the Mineirao stadium on Sunday. Fighting began between several players before substitutes and coaching staff members entered the pitch to join the confrontation, according to Reuters.
Security personnel and local police eventually intervened to restore order after several minutes of disorder. Daronco issued red cards to 11 players from Cruzeiro and 12 from Atletico Mineiro, leaving both sides with insufficient numbers to continue. The match was subsequently abandoned with the score level at 1-1, per reports from ESPN.
Former Brazil international forward Hulk, who plays for Atletico Mineiro, described the scenes as regrettable after receiving one of the dismissals. The Brazilian Football Confederation is expected to launch a full investigation into the incident. Authorities have not yet confirmed the length of any potential suspensions for the players involved in the brawl.
