Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has been handed a 13-match suspension by the Spanish football federation after punching an opponent during a match. The incident occurred in a second-tier derby against Huesca last Sunday, when the Argentine goalkeeper struck Huesca player Jorge Pulido in the face.
Details of the Incident
The federation's disciplinary committee announced that both Andrada and his club would face fines. The goalkeeper was initially sent off for shoving Pulido, which resulted in a second yellow card. Enraged by the decision, Andrada then ran at Pulido and punched him, sparking a brawl on the pitch during stoppage time. The punch earned him a 12-match ban, in addition to the automatic one-match suspension for the red card, effectively ending his season.
Impact on Zaragoza's Season
Andrada's suspension is a significant blow to Real Zaragoza, who currently sit second from bottom in the Segunda División. The 35-year-old, on loan from Mexican side Monterrey, will miss the remainder of the campaign, hampering the club's fight against relegation.
Apology and Aftermath
Following the match, Andrada expressed remorse for his actions. "The truth is I'm very, very sorry for what happened," he said. "It's not a good image for the club, for the fans, and especially not for a professional like myself."
The brawl also led to red cards for Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jiménez and Zaragoza's Dani Tasende. Jiménez was banned for four matches, while Tasende received a two-match ban. Huesca held on to win the match 1-0 at home.
Real Zaragoza condemned the incident, stating on Sunday: "We witnessed scenes unbecoming of this sport and which should never have occurred."
