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World record 51 red cards shown in Brazilian youth game
A Brazilian under-20 semi-final between Uberlandia and Mamore descended into a brawl, leading to a world-record 51 red cards. The mass dismissals followed clashes sparked by celebrations after Mamore went 3-1 ahead, and the match was abandoned.
The referee sent off 43 players and eight coaching staff; three players had already been dismissed before the brawl. Police reported damage including 14 broken doors and destroyed benches, tables and chairs. Uberlandia later conceded the second leg because Mamore had only seven players available, calling the decision a “gesture of fair play”; the previous record was 36 red cards in Argentina in 2011.
In short
- A Brazilian youth match produced 51 red cards.
- A brawl led to the game being abandoned.
- Uberlandia conceded the second leg to Mamore.
Explained simply
Uberlândia and Mamoré are football clubs from Brazil, whose under-20 teams compete in a regional youth tournament. A semi-final is played over two matches, with the result across both legs deciding which team advances.
Red cards mean a player or team official is dismissed and cannot take part further in the match. Football rules limit how many players a team can have on the pitch, so a team with too few available players may be unable to continue or compete in a later match.
Mass dismissals are unusual, making this incident notable in the history of football. It also drew attention to the conduct of players and staff at a youth match and to the disruption caused at the venue.