AFP, RIO DE JANEIRO: A Brazilian state football championship match had to be abandoned after a mass brawl led to nine red cards -- and there could be more punishments coming, authorities said on Monday.

Bahia and Vitoria clashed on Sunday in the Bahia state championship, in the north-east of Brazil, when mayhem erupted.

The spark came after Bahia equalized three minutes into the second half and goalscorer Vinicius celebrated with a vulgar gesture that simulated sex.