Hulk blames ref for 23-red card brawl: I warned him... he lacked personality

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 9 Mar 2026 07:03 CDT
• 4 min read

News

Brazilian star Hulk has blamed the referee's poor management of a game between Atlético Mineiro and Cruzeiro for a mass brawl that ensued towards the end of the fixture, which saw 23 players receive red cards.

Cruzeiro won the final of the Campeonato Mineiro 1-0 by defeating Atlético Mineiro thanks to a goal from Kaio Jorge.

But, the result and the subsequent celebrations were overshadowed by one of the biggest on-pitch brawls Brazilian football has ever seen.

It all started due to a confrontation between goalkeeper Everson and Cruzeiro midfielder Christian. After Everson saved a shot from Matheus Pereira, the pair came together and Everson pinned his opponent to the floor with his knee.

Players from both sides ran towards the incident and fighting ensued. This wasn't a usual push-and-pull melee, either, as punches and kicks were thrown everywhere. Indeed, Hulk was shown on camera viciously punching Lucas Romero on the back of the head.

Afterwards, Hulk said: "It's regrettable. 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."

In his opinion, the blame for the brawl lies at the feet of the referee, whom he believes didn't have the "personality" to officiate such a high-profile fixture.

"What happened? I told the referee from the beginning of the game that it was going to be sh*t," Hulk said, as reported by O Globo.

"He had no personality. If you have to expel one, two, three, kick them out! He was afraid to whistle the final. But he has no personality.

"I don't remember participating in an act of violence in a soccer match. I won't get tired of apologising. We try to appease, but hot blood, see a companion being assaulted, you will automatically react. But it could be avoided."

The referee Matheus Candancan had to ask that police and even military personnel enter the pitch to try and stop the brawling.

🚨 HULK’S PUNCH ON LUCAS ROMERO! 🤯pic.twitter.com/5iuTZnj7Ag https://t.co/Kh4c32oXzs

— Polymarket FC (@PolymarketFC) March 9, 2026

In his official referee's report, he stated:

"After being fouled, he [Everson] knocked down his opponent, charged at him, and brutally struck his opponent, number 88 [Christian], in the face with his knee. I clarify that after this action, a general brawl broke out, making it impossible to issue a red card,.

"For striking his opponent, number 22, in the head with his shin, using excessive force and high intensity, when the ball was already in the goalkeeper's possession. I clarify that after this action a general brawl broke out, making it impossible to show a red card."

The red cards for the 23 players came after the match.

Cruzeiro players sent off: Cassio, Fagner, Fabrício Bruno, John Marcelo, Villalba, Kauã Prates, Christian, Lucas Romero, Matheus Henrique, Wallace, Gerson and Kaio Jorge.

Atletico Mineiro players sent off: Everson, Gabriel Delfim, Precious, Lyanco, Ruan Tressoldi, Junior Alonso, Renan Lodi, Alan Franco, Alan Minda, Cassierra and Hulk.

Kaio Jorge, who scored the winner, said in the aftermath:

"Of course we didn't want the match to end like that, given the spectacle it was, but I couldn't leave my teammates in trouble and just stand there. I went to defend my teammates."

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