9 red cards see football match abandoned
What's the story
Football is known as the beautiful game, but sometimes it does turn ugly. The Brazilian derby between Vitoria and Bahia is an example of it. The referees were forced to abandon the fixture after 9 players were sent off. Tempers flared on the pitch and the fixture had to be abandoned with just 11 minutes remaining. Here's more about this 'ugly' event.
Derby madness
Punches fly in Brazilian football match
Things turned ugly only in the second half of the fixture. After Denilson's goal gave the hosts (Vitoria) an advantage, Vinicius levelled the score-line at 1-1 with a kick from the penalty spot and celebrated with a provocative dance in front of the Vitoria supporters. The players couldn't bear the humiliation and punches started flying at each other.
Twitter Post
Tempers flare after provocative celebration
CENAS LAMENTÁVEIS! CONFUSÃO NO BAVI! pic.twitter.com/uRQE8a4fyg
— Vitória Online 🦁 (@vitoriaonlinee) February 18, 2018
Out of control
Play resumes after 8 red cards were brandished
The referee tried to restore order and sent off five players, three from Bahia and two from Vitoria. A couple of minutes into the game, two more players (one from each side) were handed red-cards. With 13 minutes left, a fourth player from Vitoria was sent off. In frustration, another Vitoria player showed unruly behavior, forcing the referee into awarding him a match-ending red.
Play abandoned
Brazil court to determine outcome of fixture
Football rules state that a minimum of 7 players are required to play a game. Any team which has got 6 players will give its opponents a victory. However, in this case, 5 players from Vitoria and 4 from Bahia were sent off. Brazil's sporting court will now decide the action for the indiscipline and the result of this fixture.