GREMIO’S clash with fierce rivals Internacional descended into chaos after EIGHT players were sent off following a brutal scrap on the field.
It was the first time the Porto Alegre derby in the south of Brazil was taking place in the Copa Libertadores.
Gremio’s clash with Internacional descended into chaosCredit: EPA
A mass brawl was sparked between the two sets of players and staffCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The incident was sparked when Edenilson squared up to Gremio’s Luciano da Rocha NevesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The referee was forced to dish out eight red cardsCredit: AFP or licensors
The atmosphere inside the stadium is always hugely intense when the two neighbours meet.
But tempers boiled over on the field when the tie was heading towards a goalless draw.
Any lack of match action was soon forgotten about when Internacional’s Edenilson squared up to Gremio’s Luciano da Rocha Neves.
It sparked a mass bust-up among both sets of players and staff as they descended onto the field.
Video footage shows players grappling with each other on the ground, hands around throats, while others are kicking and punching each other.
Not even the officials could believe the remarkable scenes that unfolded in front of their eyes.
When the trouble eventually died down, the referee consulted his officials before brandishing eight red cards.
Gremio saw Neves, Pepe, Caio Henriue Oliveira Silva and Paulo Miranda see red.
Internacional also had four people sent off including Edenilson, Moises Roberto Barbosa, Victor Cuesta and Bruno Conceicao Praxedes given their marching orders.
Despite both teams finishing the game with seven men, it was still some way off a Copa Libertadores record.
A match between Sporting Cristal and Boca Juniors saw 19 players and staff see red.
The officials lost complete control of the playersCredit: EPA
The match finished 0-0 with seven players eachCredit: Reuters
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
