A Brazilian Under-20 football match between Uberlandia and Mamore has set a new Guinness World Record for the most red cards issued in a single game, with a total of 51 dismissals following a mass brawl. The chaotic incident saw 43 players and eight members of coaching staff sent off.
The match, part of the Minas Gerais Under-20 Championship, descended into disorder after an altercation near the technical areas. The referee reported that six ball boys also became involved, resorting to punches, kicks, and throwing objects at players and coaching staff. The use of items like stretchers and chairs was also reported.
The previous record for red cards in a match stood at 36, set in 2011 during an Argentine fifth division game. According to local outlet Ge Globo, the brawl was triggered after Uberlandia's manager, Willer Francisco Silva, along with two other staff members, entered the field to confront the referee. Threats of violence were allegedly made.
The game, which had already seen an Uberlandia player sent off earlier for striking an opponent, eventually resumed before the brawl erupted. In total, 22 players from Uberlandia and 21 from Mamore were dismissed, along with four staff members from each team. The chaos took over half an hour to resolve.