Mamoré advance after Uberlândia withdrawal follows 53-dismissal semi-final

Mamoré have advanced to the final of the Minas Gerais under-20 second division after Uberlândia withdrew from the return leg of their semi-final, following a first match that produced 53 dismissals. Brazilian outlet ge reported that the state football federation approved the withdrawal on Wednesday, cancelling Sunday's second leg.

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The disciplinary total covered 43 players, eight coaching staff and two club officials, according to The Telegraph's reporting on the referee's account. The first leg had already been interrupted earlier in the second half after an Uberlândia player received a second yellow card and club personnel entered the pitch. Play was suspended for 40 minutes before resuming.

The larger confrontation followed Mamoré's goal for a 3-1 lead in the ninth minute of added time. The Telegraph reported that referee Fernando Patrick Drosghic Modesto described provocative gestures towards the Uberlândia bench during the celebration. His account said a member of Uberlândia's coaching staff entered the field and pushed a player, triggering the wider fight.

The referee recorded dismissals for punches and kicks, but said the disorder prevented him from physically displaying the red cards. The Telegraph also reported that a police report had been filed concerning alleged threats against him. Those allegations formed part of the official's account of the incidents surrounding the match.

According to ge, Uberlândia said Mamoré would have only seven eligible players available for the return fixture because of the suspensions. Uberlândia described its withdrawal as a fair-play decision and said it had taken internal disciplinary measures. Mamoré's place in the final also secures promotion to the state's top under-20 division for next season.

Uberlândia remain eligible for the third-place contest, which also offers promotion, ge reported. The federation will count the automatic suspensions as served despite the cancelled fixture. However, that does not close the disciplinary process: the incidents from the first leg are still due to be considered by Minas Gerais' sports tribunal, which can impose sanctions on both clubs.