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By ADRIAN BISHOP Published: 22: 52 AEDT, 28 March 2025 | Updated: 23: 52 AEDT, 28 March 2025 5 View comments A former Manchester United forward found himself at the centre of a mass brawl during a league final in Brazil. In the early hours of Friday morning, Corinthians played host to Palmeiras in the second leg of the final of the Campeonato Paulista, the highest level of league football in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo. After a 1-0 victory in the first leg last weekend, Corinthians just needed to keep the game goalless in the final stages to secure their record-extending 31st title, and their first since 2019. As the clock ran down, Memphis Depay - who joined the Brazilian club from Atletico Madrid in September - received the ball in the corner from a short free kick. Seemingly not content with simply shielding the ball from an onrushing defender, the Dutch international proceeded to stand on it with both feet in a brazen display of showboating. The move only served to infuriate the opposition players, with two Palmeiras stars crunching into challenge Depay, knocking him over in the process. Memphis Depay sparked a huge melee as Corinthians claimed the Campeonato Paulista The Dutch international stepped on the ball with both feet in the closing seconds of the game Two players were sent off in the aftermath as tensions boiled over following a mass brawl And within seconds a mass brawl had broken out around the corner flag involving stars from both teams. There was much pushing and shoving between players and substitutes for both teams, with Depay seen tussling ammong the melee. The brawl continued for several minutes and added to what was an already ill-tempered and dramatic clash between the two arch-rivals. Corinthians defender Felix Torres had already been sent off for two yellow cards, while Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira was also dismissed, shortly before Raphael Veiga missed a penalty to level the tie for his side. The brawl only continued the drama, with the officials quickly responding by sending off Corinthians midfielder Jose Martinez and veteran Palmeiras goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba for their involvement in the ensuing melee. This was despite neither Martinez or Lomba being on the pitch at the time of the incident. When order was eventually restored, Corinthians held onto their aggregate lead in the closing seconds to claim the title. Depay's (top right) actions had infuriated Palmeiras' players with two stars crunching into him Depay (left, with headband) was heavily involved in the pushing and shoving among the melee Depay struggled to settle during a difficult period at Man United between 2015 and 2017 The trophy marks the fifth title of Depay's career, nearly a decade after his failed stint at Old Trafford. After earning admirers across the footballing world for his form for PSV, United beat off competition from a number of clubs to sign Depay in the summer of 2015 on a four-year deal for a £25million fee. However, his time in the Premier League would ultimately come to an end just 18 months later as he struggled to settle in Manchester, with the Dutch star scoring just seven goals in 53 appearances. Depay subsequently joined French side Lyon in January 2017. He went onto represent Barcelona and Atletico Madrid before moving to South America.
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