Brazilian ‘Derby of Peace’ abandoned with ten players sent off after melee

In Brazil, the Ba-Vi derby between Vitoria and Bahia was abandoned with 11 minutes left on the clock after the hosts were reduced to six men.

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Ten players were sent off in total over the course of the match at Vitoria’s Barradão stadium, but it was the dismissal of Bruno Bispo – the fifth Vitoria player to see red – which forced the referee to blow up early. Bahia had also had five players sent off, but three were substitutes.

Mass brawl

The main spate of disciplinary madness came after Bahia equalised through midfielder Vinicius around the 50th minute mark, this after conceding early on to a goal from Vitoria’s Denilson. Vinicius celebrated his goal from the penalty spot with a provocative dance in front of the home fans, which led to a mass brawl between the two sides.

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With punches thrown by both sets of players, eight were sent off in the aftermath including the three Bahia substitutes. Vitoria proceeded to have two more players sent off in open play.

Both teams require a minimum of seven players on the pitch for the game to continue, meaning the ironically monikered ‘Derby of Peace’ was cut short on account of its extreme belligerence.

The game also featured eight yellow cards, making it one of the least peaceable encounters ever witnessed on a football pitch. Brazil’s sporting court will now decide what action to take over the result and how to punish the sides over their poor discipline, though it is expected that Bahia will be awarded a 3-0 win.