The Minas Gerais state championship final between Cruzeiro Esporte Clube and Clube Atlético Mineiro ended in chaos on Sunday, with a massive on-field brawl. Cruzeiro secured a 1-0 victory, but the match will be remembered for the violent fallout.

Reports from Brazilian media indicate that the referee issued an additional 23 red cards following the melee.

The incident that sparked the conflict occurred in the 97th minute inside Atletico’s penalty area after a collision between Christian of Cruzeiro and home goalkeeper Everson. Everson reacted aggressively, first pushing Christian and then pinning him to the ground with both knees.

Close-range footage of the altercation later surfaced online, showing the intensity of the clash and adding fuel to an already controversial derby.

This extraordinary sequence will likely result in disciplinary action from the league and raises questions about player conduct in high-stakes matches.

Patrice Evra has strongly criticised Theo Walcott after the former Arsenal FC star suggested the club’s current team could compete with, and possibly beat, Manchester United FC’s legendary 2007–08 side.

Evra, 44, was part of the iconic United squad that won both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League under the leadership of Alex Ferguson.

That team featured a star-studded lineup, including Edwin van der Sar in goal and the formidable defensive pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić. In midfield, experienced playmakers like Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs supplied a devastating front line of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.

However, Walcott, now 36, recently claimed that United’s all-conquering side might struggle to “compete” with the current Arsenal team managed by Mikel Arteta.

Arteta’s side currently sits top of the Premier League table, boasting a strong defence featuring Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba and Jurriën Timber. Their midfield includes Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Martin Ødegaard, while the attack is spearheaded by Bukayo Saka.

Wayne Rooney was the first former United star to respond, bluntly stating that Ferguson’s 2008 team would “batter” the current Arsenal side.

Evra went even further, suggesting Rooney had actually been generous with his response. Speaking to Stake, the Frenchman criticised Walcott’s comments and questioned his role as a pundit.

“I think Wayne Rooney was being really nice to Theo Walcott, even if he said Man United 07/08 would smash this Arsenal team,” Evra said.

“Walcott is a good friend, I love him, but making those kinds of comments shows he’s a menace on TV. He should stop doing punditry — this is dangerous for the kids, saying things like this.

“Even in the FA Cup in 2008, we beat Arsenal with eight defensive players. Our team is the GOAT of the Premier League, don’t compare them to this Arsenal team.”

Evra even joked that Walcott must have been “drunk” when he made the comparison, insisting that the legendary United side should not be measured against today’s Arsenal team.

The quarter-final draw for the FA Cup has been confirmed, and it didn’t take long for fans to erupt on social media.

The standout tie will see Manchester City FC host Liverpool FC in what promises to be a heavyweight clash between two of the Premier League’s biggest sides.

Meanwhile, Arsenal FC will travel to Championship side Southampton FC, continuing what many observers feel has been a relatively favourable run of draws for the Gunners.

Chelsea FC appear to have landed one of the most comfortable fixtures on paper, hosting bottom-of-League One outfit Port Vale FC at Stamford Bridge.

The final tie will see either West Ham United FC or Brentford FC host Leeds United FC.

As expected, the draw sparked plenty of debate online, with some fans jokingly suggesting the process may have been rigged.

One supporter claimed Liverpool consistently receives the toughest fixtures, arguing that other Premier League clubs often draw lower-league opposition. Another suggested the tournament was “rigged in Chelsea’s favour,” while others speculated about a potential Chelsea versus Arsenal final.

Of course, there is no evidence to support any claims of manipulation, and many of the comments appeared to be light-hearted frustration rather than serious accusations.

Still, Liverpool fans feel they have been handed the toughest assignment by travelling to face City, especially when rivals Arsenal and Chelsea will face lower-league opposition.

Pep Guardiola’s City side has already beaten Liverpool twice this season, including a dramatic 2–1 victory at Anfield last month.

However, there is reason for optimism among Liverpool supporters. The Reds recorded two wins against City on their way to last season’s Premier League title, including an impressive 2–0 triumph at the Etihad Stadium.

History also offers encouragement: the last time Liverpool faced City in the FA Cup — the 2021/22 semi-final — it was Liverpool who came out on top.