World record 53 red cards shown in Brazilian youth game

A world record of 53 red cards was issued during the semi‑final first leg of the Minas Gerais Under‑20 Championship between Uberlandia and Mamore at Parque do Sabia Stadium in Brazil.

The incident saw 43 players and eight members of the coaching staff dismissed, and two Uberlandia board members were also removed, bringing the total to 53. The previous record of 36 cards was set in a 2011 fifth‑division match between Club Atletico Claypole and Victoriano Arenas in Argentina. O Tempo reported that military police were called because of extensive damage to the stadium.

According to the referee’s report, a brawl erupted in the second half after Mamore’s Davi taunted the opposition bench while his side celebrated a 3‑1 lead. Uberlandia goalkeeping coach Paulo Sergio Dias Dos Santos ran onto the pitch to confront him, triggering further clashes after three players had already been sent off earlier.

The police report noted 14 broken doors, damaged shower facilities, broken windows and the destruction of benches, tables and chairs. The match was halted for about 40 minutes before referee Fernando Patrick Drosghic Modesto abandoned it. "In the 54th minute of the second ​half, a generalized brawl broke out, making it impossible to show the red cards and to carry ‌out the ⁠match-closing protocol," Modesto wrote, adding, "Therefore, owing to all the turmoil and the lack of security, I declared the match ended."

Uberlandia later confirmed that it would concede the second leg of the semi‑final because Mamore were left with only seven players after the dismissals. The club called the decision a "gesture of fair play" and said Mamore would advance to the final while Uberlandia would focus on the third‑place match. "The club has also not remained silent: ​the appropriate disciplinary measures regarding those involved have already been taken internally, because athletic development is, above all, a ​matter of personal development," Uberlandia added.