A mass brawl led to red cards for 23 players from Cruzeiro and their fierce native rivals Atlético Mineiro after clashes on the Campeonato Mineiro last in Brazil.
The confrontation on Sunday in Belo Horizonte was sparked deep in stoppage time of Cruzeiro’s 1-0 win when Atlético’s goalkeeper Everson rugby-tackled Christian to the bottom after the midfielder collided with him when contesting a ball the keeper had spilled.
Everson kneeled on Christian, catching Christian’s face, then shouted at his inclined opponent whereas making use of strain to Christian’s again. That prompted an offended response from Cruzeiro players, who confronted Everson, pushing him into the web and triggering a melee.
A brawl that started subsequent to the purpose spilled effectively inside the opposite half, with players kicking, punching and pushing whereas safety employees and others tried to separate them. The violence, which additionally concerned substitutes and members of the teaching employees, lasted for greater than a minute and O Globo reported that though the sport was accomplished with out sendings-off, the referee retrospectively issued 23 red cards, 12 to Cruzeiro players and 11 to Atlético players.
“It’s regrettable, I have never seen violence like that in any football game,” Atlético’s former Brazil ahead Hulk mentioned. “We cannot set that example because it ends up having repercussions all around the world. We have a responsibility to safeguard our image and the image of the institution.”
Cruzeiro’s coach, Tite, a former Brazil supervisor, thanked the followers for their help after the win. “I want to convey to the Cruzeiro fans the affection and respect I have for them,” he mentioned. “I may lack competence at times, but respect for the fans, the work, the dignity, the honesty, that’s what counts.”
