Brazilian Referee Reportedly Breaks World Record After Issuing 51 Red Cards in Youth Football Match
A football referee in Brazil has reportedly set a new world record after issuing 51 red cards during a youth football match between Uberlândia and Mamoré in the Minas Gerais Under-20 Second Division.
According to reports by O Tempo, 43 players and eight members of the coaching and technical staff were sent off following a mass brawl that lasted about 40 minutes and required the intervention of military police.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday in the 54th minute of the match after Mamoré player Davi taunted the opposition bench while celebrating his team’s third goal.
The celebration allegedly angered Uberlândia’s goalkeeping coach, Paulo Sérgio Dias dos Santos, who ran onto the pitch to confront the player, triggering a widespread fight involving players and members of both teams’ technical staff.
In his official report, referee Drosghic Modesto also alleged that he received death threats and other threats of violence from several individuals following the incident. A police report was subsequently filed over the threats.
The match was suspended for 40 minutes before being officially abandoned.
According to Guinness World Records, the previous record for the highest number of red cards issued in a football match was 36, during an Argentine Primera D encounter in 2011.
If confirmed, the 51 red cards issued in the Brazilian match would surpass the previous record by 15.
Brazilian Referee Reportedly Breaks World Record After Issuing 51 Red Cards in Youth Football Match