After a seven-year dry spell, Cruzeiro has won the regional championship in Minas Gerais. However, a late mass brawl between the players pushed this into the background.
Cruzeiro has successfully prevented archrival Atletico Mineiro from winning another title. However, this year’s final of the regional championship in Minas Gerais, Brazil, known as the Campeonato Mineiro, is unlikely to be remembered for that reason. In the final seconds, the match, which was played on Sunday in Belo Horizonte, got completely out of control.
With stoppage time already underway and Cruzeiro leading 1-0, Cruzeiro striker Christian collided with Atletico goalkeeper Everson, who had just parried a shot in his own five-meter area and secured the ball. Christian, who had fallen spectacularly over Everson in the collision, quickly got back to his feet—only to be violently wrestled back to the turf by the goalkeeper. With his knee on Christian’s chest, Everson prevented him from getting up.
The striker’s teammates quickly rushed to his side, whereupon a wild brawl broke out around the Atletico goal. Punching and kicking ensued, often with runners taking a run-up, along with numerous shoves. It took around ten minutes for tempers to calm down somewhat with the help of security forces and military police.
Hulk: “I’ve never seen such violence at a soccer game”
A total of 23 red cards were subsequently listed in the match report, after referee Matheus Delgado Candancan had initially not imposed any sanctions. Among those sent off were former star striker Hulk, who plays for Atletico at the age of 39, and 17-year-old defender Kaua Prates, who will move from Cruzeiro to Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
“I’ve never seen such violence in a soccer game,” Hulk told local media afterwards, apologizing for what had happened. “We mustn’t set such an example, because it has an impact on the whole world. We have a responsibility to protect our image and that of the club.” When you’re hot-blooded and see a teammate being attacked, you react “automatically.” “Nevertheless, it shouldn’t have happened like that.”
Just a side note for now was that Cruzeiro, coached by former Brazilian national coach Tite, celebrated its first title in seven years in the traditional Campeonato Mineiro, ending the streak of record winners Atletico.