Manager Carlo Ancelotti and captain Raphinha were sent off as Brazil were beaten by a stoppage-time winner in a friendly against Japan in Singapore.
Ancelotti and Raphinha were dismissed on the touchline in the aftermath of Coventry City winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto bundling home in the 91st minute.
Brazil appealed for a foul in the build-up when Aston Villa midfielder Joao Gomes was dispossessed.
There were further protests after the final whistle, with security personnel stepping in to separate various Brazil players from the officials, including Singaporean referee Jansen Foo.
“The referee gave me a red card because he said I wasn’t able to control the bench, and that all the players were on the field,” Ancelotti said.
“The result, obviously, was influenced by the referee’s performance.
“But it’s not his fault. It was a high-level match and I don’t think he had the experience to handle this kind of game.”
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr inspired a Brazil comeback after they fell 2-0 down inside the first 19 minutes through goals from Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura.
Vinicius scored in either half, including a fine, curling equaliser, while Raphinha and Ancelotti reacted angrily when appeals for a first-half penalty for a foul on Raphinha were turned down.
Raphinha had been substituted by the time he was dismissed, and remonstrated with the fourth official when he left the field.
It was Brazil’s second 3-2 friendly defeat by Japan in the past 18 months.
They also met in the last 32 of this summer’s World Cup, when Brazil won 2-1.
