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Corinthians won its first Brazilian league title in six years on the day one of the team's idols, Socrates, died.
Corinthians drew 0-0 with Palmeiras on Sunday in a match in which four players were sent off. The team finished two points in front of Vasco da Gama, which drew 1-1 with Flamengo on Sunday.
The draw would've been enough for Corinthians no matter what happened in Vasco's match. A player from each team was sent off in that match.
It was Corinthians' first national title - and fifth overall - since a team led by Argentina striker Carlos Tevez and midfielder Javier Mascherano won in 2005.
''Our group has been very united from the beginning,'' midfielder Jorge Henrique said. ''We led the championship for 27 rounds, that shows we deserved this title.''
Socrates died earlier Sunday at 57 from septic shock following an infection. The playmaker who captained Brazil at the 1982 World Cup had publicly admitted that his heavy drinking had caused the health problems which ultimately led to his death.
He had been hospitalized twice in the last four months for hemorrhages caused by high pressure in the vein that carries blood from the digestive system to the liver.
Corinthians fans held up several signs honoring Socrates at Pacaembu stadium, and the team's players held their closed right hand up in the air during the moment of silence before the match, imitating his trademark celebration after scoring.
''The Corinthians nation woke up very sad today because of the loss of this incredible person,'' striker Liedson said. ''The title comes as a small way to honor him.''
Former Brazil striker Adriano didn't play on Sunday because he still hasn't fully recovered from Achilles tendon surgery earlier in the year, but he earned his second Brazilian league title in three years. He had helped Flamengo win in 2009.
''Next year, hopefully I'll be back in great form to help Corinthians,'' he said.
A brawl started in the final minutes of the match at Pacaembu stadium when Jorge Henrique provoked Palmeiras players near the sidelines, prompting the benches to be cleared. Several players shoved each other and threw punches and kicked each other for a few moments until the coaches and referees intervened.
When play resumed, Palmeiras midfielder Luan kicked Jorge Henrique from behind, but the referee apparently didn't see it. Palmeiras midfielder Joao Vitor and Corinthians defender Leandro Castan were sent off after the brawl.
Palmeiras was a man down from the 47th minute after Chile playmaker Jorge Valdivia received a straight red card in a call that brought loud complaints from Palmeiras. Corinthians midfielder Wallace was dismissed in the 74th, also with a straight red card.
Possible problems with the refereeing had been a hot topic all week in the local media since Corinthians president Andres Sanchez was appointed to the second-most important post at the Brazilian football federation, behind only president Ricardo Teixeira.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's Palmeiras, which finished 11th and was already out of contention, came closest to scoring when Fernandao's header struck the crossbar in the 71st.
Vasco, trying to win the championship for the first time since Romario was its biggest star in 2000, also complained of the refereeing in the draw with Flamengo at Engenhao stadium.
The team had midfielder Jumar sent off midway through the second half for a second bookable offense, and in the first half a penalty wasn't given after Diego Souza's jersey was pulled when the playmaker was inside the area. Players loudly complained with the referee after the match ended.
Vasco had to beat Flamengo and hope Palmeiras defeated Corinthians in Sao Paulo.
Vasco opened the scoring with a header by Diego Souza in the 29th, but Flamengo equalized through midfielder Renato in the 55th in a play started by former Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho.
With the draw, Flamengo finished fourth in the 20-team standings and secured a spot in next year's Copa Libertadores, Latin America's most important club competition.
Defending champion Fluminense drew Botafogo 1-1 in Volta Redonda and finished third, eight points behind Corinthians.
The fifth team to earn a Copa Libertadores berth next season was Internacional, which defeated Gremio 1-0 in Porto Alegre.
Sixth-time Brazilian champion Sao Paulo defeated Santos 4-1 in Mogi Mirim with two goals by former Brazil striker Luis Fabiano, but it finished only sixth in the standings.
Two-time national champion Cruzeiro routed Atletico Mineiro 6-1 in Minas Gerais to avoid relegation. Atletico Paranaense, the 2001 champion, defeated Coritiba 1-0 in Curitiba but was still demoted, along with Ceara, America and Avai.
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