Man Utd and Sunderland U16s ends in ‘mass brawl’ with referee handing out multiple red cards

Man Utd and Sunderland U16s ends in a ‘mass brawl’ with the referee handing out multiple red cards following the final whistle.

The SuperCupNI semi final took place at Riada Stadium in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, with Manchester United progressing through with a 1-0 victory, Mane Soares on the scoresheet.

Man Utd U16s faced Mexican side Tigres UANL in the SuperCupNI Globe final, and won it 5-4 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw.

Aaron Stewart (@UlsterRedsNI) tweeted: “Fisty cuffs at the Premier Boys #SuperCupNI match in Ballymoney between Man United and Sunderland.

“Sunderland #2 started the fight when he booted the United #10 on the ground a few seconds after the final whistle. United go on to the final, Sunderland going home.”

The referee calls for Sunderland’s number 2 and number 8. A red is shown to number 8, with his fellow teammates stunned, saying he wasn’t involved, adding that he was at the halfway line when the incident took place.

The referee is told by a staff member that he sent off the wrong person. Fans also have their say as the official walks off, one woman calling it “an absolute joke”.

Fisty cuffs at the Premier Boys #SuperCupNI match in Ballymoney between Man United and Sunderland.

Sunderland #2 started the fight when he booted the United #10 on the ground a few seconds after the final whistle. United go on to the final, Sunderland going home. GGMU 🇾🇪 pic.twitter.com/7Zs0yVl4G4

— 🇬🇧 Aaron Stewart 🇾🇪 (@UlsterRedsNI) July 31, 2026

Man Utd: The Religion summed up what happened, a video posted on social media and captioned their post: “Manchester United U16s reached the Globe Final with a 1–0 win over Sunderland, but the final whistle was followed by chaotic scenes.

“The referee issued multiple red cards in the aftermath, and tournament officials have requested access to my footage to assist with their review of the incident.

“Further update once the @supercupni tournament officials have reviewed the incident.”

SCENES AT THE END OF MAN UTD v SUNDERLAND

SCENES AT THE END OF MAN UTD v TIGRES

Sunderland squad, as per supercupni.com:

Sunderland

1 – Lewie Gibson
2 – Osayande Zuriel-Messaiah Obasohan
3 – Terry Omorodion
4 – Lincoln Brook
5 – Charlie Morton
6 – Louix Quinn
7 – Kylan Hague
8 – Charlie Scorer
9 – Alfie Quinn
10 – Sonny Bartle
11 – Cena-Cole Priestley
12 – Eseosa Agho Benson
14 – George Shippen
15 – Jack Campbell
16 – Gabriel Young
17 – Enoch Braimah

Man Utd
1 – Marley Irving
2 – Lincoln Fagborun
3 – Joseph Akinsanya
4 – Angus Murdock
5 – Jack Waters
6 – Jeddeed Bangura
7 – Aduramane (Mane) Balde Soares
8 – Brian Nyonyi
9 – Eddie Wright
10 – Jaice Dore
11 – Ben Lyne
12 – Estan Chisnall Devent
13 – William (Billy) Hartley
14 – Joseph Deighton
15 – Locclan Harrison
16 – Simon Okeke
17 – Muhammed Ibragimov
18 – Ellis Mills

Here’s how fans on social media reacted after Man Utd and Sunderland U16s ends in ‘mass brawl’ with the referee handing out multiple red cards…

Stewart Kinnear: Number 8 wasn’t even involved in any of it if people watch back properly 😂

Guy Marley: Stewart Kinnear unless he said something that deserved a red.

Lisa Lemon McCahon: I was there watching the game. Number 8 was standing on the half way line. I hope he receives an apology from the referee.

Vicente Farina: Mistaken #. It happens in heat of battle. If they look at video then it will be corrected. It is what it is.

Joel Petrovic: Watch it from a distance and then put in a report. Enough video footage for the authorities to hand out bands-even though what he did is perfectly within the laws of the game

Tim Vickers: Joel Petrovic Exactly. It’s a long time since I stopped reffing but but I was always told if anything like this kicks off get together with the linesmen, stand back and take numbers and make a note of what they did to report it later. Then get off If anyone wants to talk to you (like a coach) say you’ll do it off the field when everything has calmed down. Then just say ‘this is what we saw and will be reported to the authorities’ Brandishing cards in this situation does seem to make things worse even though I understand it.