A heated derby clash between Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro on Sunday ended in chaos after a mass brawl broke out between players during the final minutes of the Campeonato Mineiro final.
Cruzeiro secured a 1-0 victory over their fierce rivals, but the match was overshadowed by ugly scenes of violence that erupted on the pitch at the final whistle.
The trouble started in the closing moments when Atletico goalkeeper Everson pushed Cruzeiro midfielder Christian to the ground. The incident happened after Christian collided with the keeper while both were chasing a loose ball.
Almost immediately, Christian’s teammates rushed over to confront Everson. What followed was a large melee as players from both sides joined in, pushing and shoving each other. Security staff and officials had to step in quickly to separate the teams and try to calm the situation.
Speaking after the game, Atletico forward Hulk expressed his regret over what happened. He said, he had never seen violence like it in a football match.
“It’s regrettable, I have never seen violence like that in any football game,” Hulk said. “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.”
On the other side, Cruzeiro coach Tite chose to focus on the support from the fans following the important win. He made a point of thanking them for standing by the team.
“I want to convey to the Cruzeiro fans the affection and respect I have for them,” Tite said. “I may lack competence at times, but respect for the fans, the work, the dignity, the honesty that’s what counts.”
The victory gives Cruzeiro a boost as they prepare for their next game. The club, which is currently in 19th place in the Brazil Serie A standings, is set to face Flamengo on Wednesday.