Shocking! 51 red cards shown in Brazilian youth match, setting new record

According to Vi, a rare incident occurred in a Brazilian youth football match, in which the referee issued a total of 51 red cards: 43 to players and 8 to coaching staff from both sides.

The match was played at the large Sabia Park stadium, though few spectators were in attendance. The game was heated from the start. Referee Patrick had already shown 4 red cards during regular time, 2 to each side, for punching, verbal abuse, assaulting the opposing goalkeeper and making provocative gestures.

Davi Bittencourt's provocative behavior came in second-half stoppage time, after Mamoré had taken a 3-1 lead. A massive brawl then erupted, and 39 more players were sent off for "kicking and hitting opponents," as the referee described it. By then, 43 players in total had been shown red cards, leaving only Luike Bispo dos Santos and Roberto Domingos dos Santos on the field.

The matter did not end there. Patrick also sent off 8 coaching staff members who took part in the brawl, including both head coaches, a goalkeeping coach, a physiotherapist and a masseur. These red cards were issued only on paper. Patrick wrote in his detailed match report that he was unable to show a red card to every offender individually on the field.

The referee also confirmed that he had filed a complaint and that the police would investigate. Guinness World Records may also take notice. The previous record for most red cards in a single match, according to Guinness, was set in 2011 by the Argentine lower-league teams Claypole Athletic and Victoriano Arenas, when 36 red cards were shown. If Guinness recognizes this match, the 43 players sent off and 51 red cards in total would far exceed the previous record.