Cruzeiro secured a 1-0 victory with a goal from Kaio Jorge in the 60th minute, ending rival Atletico Mineiro's 6-year dominance of Minas Gerais football. However, the Campeonato Mineiro final, played on 9/3, garnered global attention due to widespread violence. This led to a stoppage of over 10 minutes with just 30 seconds remaining in the match.

The official match report from head referee Matheus Candancan confirmed a record 23 red cards issued after a large-scale brawl at the end of the game. The refereeing team's document, released the same day, detailed the penalties for players from both sides.

The incident originated from a clash between Mineiro goalkeeper Everson and Cruzeiro winger Christian. In his report regarding the visiting team's goalkeeper, the referee described Everson as having "acted violently" after being fouled by an opponent.

"After being fouled, the player threw the opponent to the ground, aggressively attacked, and kneed opponent number 88 in the face," Candancan's report stated. "I want to clarify that immediately after this action, a mass brawl erupted, making it impossible to issue a direct red card on the field."

The referee also highlighted Christian's challenge as the trigger for the subsequent violence. The report detailed: "For forcefully impacting opponent number 22's head with excessive force and intensity using his shin when the ball was already in the goalkeeper's hands. After this action, a brawl erupted, so I could not issue a red card immediately."

For the remaining cases, referee Candancan cited the same reason for issuing direct red cards: "Sent off after the match ended, for punching and kicking opponents during the brawl. Due to the extreme chaos at the time, I could not issue direct red cards to players on the field."

Cruzeiro and Mineiro players brawl. Photo: O'Globo.

Specifically, the list of 12 Cruzeiro players who received red cards included: Cassio, Fagner, Fabricio Bruno, Joao Marcelo, Villalba, Kaua Prates, Christian, Lucas Romero, Matheus Henrique, Walace, Gerson, and Kaio Jorge.

The visiting team, Atletico Mineiro, had 11 players red-carded, including: Everson, Gabriel Delfim, Preciado, Lyanco, Ruan Tressoldi, Junior Alonso, Renan Lodi, Alan Franco, Alan Minda, Cassierra, and Hulk.

Hulk, the visiting team's star, was a central figure in the brawl. He took several kicks from defender Lucas Villalba, then retaliated with punches and kicks to midfielder Lucas Romero. After the match, Hulk apologized for his violent actions but also vented frustration at referee Candancan, describing the Sao Paulo official as lacking courage.

"I do not recall ever being involved in such violence. I apologize profusely. We tried to intervene, but when emotions run high, seeing a teammate being hit, you react instinctively. It could have been avoided," the 39-year-old forward told O'Globo. "I told the referee from the start that something bad would happen. He lacked courage. If you have to send off one, two, or three people, just do it! He was afraid to officiate this final."

Security personnel and police entered the field to restore order. Referee Candancan even requested police protection amidst the chaotic encirclement. After the situation calmed, the match concluded without any direct on-field dismissals. All red cards were subsequently added to the report.

Brazilian football seasons always feature state championships early in the year. The Minas Gerais state championship, founded in 1915, has been known as Campeonato Mineiro since 1958. Historically, Atletico Mineiro is the most successful club with 59 titles, while Cruzeiro ranks second with 39 championships.

Matches between Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro are nicknamed the "Mineiro Superclasico". This derby not only reflects a long-standing rivalry dating back to 1921 between the two clubs from the city of Belo Horizonte but is also one of South American football's most notorious derbies.

By Hoang Thong