A match between Brazilian teams Bahia and Vitoria was abandoned 11 minutes before the end after ten players were sent off in a game in the Bahia state championship.
Bahia midfielder Vinícius sparked the brawl when he equalised from the penalty spot after half-time and celebrated with a provocative dance in front of the Vitoria supporters.
Appears the final set-to was provoked by this celebration. Which… yeah, not ideal pic.twitter.com/pMtA1tjqtj
— Jack Lang (@jacklang) February 18, 2018
Eight men were sent off within three minutes of the melee, five from Bahia and three from Vitoria, before two more players were sent off later in the half as tensions escalated from the stands.
With 11 minutes remaining, Vitoria defender Bruno Bispo kicked the ball away and forced the referee into awarding him his second yellow and the match-ending red.
Proper scenes in Ba-Vi derby in Salvador. Game abandoned after (count ‘em!) SEVEN red cards, five for Vitória https://t.co/jauzN74hA9
— Jack Lang (@jacklang) February 18, 2018
With teams requiring a minimum of seven players, the referee was forced to end the game.
The result will now be decided by Brazil’s sporting court.
