Zaragoza keeper banned for 13 games for punching rival

Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has received a lengthy 13-match suspension following a violent incident during a heated Segunda División derby against Huesca, after he punched opposition captain Jorge Pulido in the face following his sending-off.

The disciplinary action comes after Andrada had already been dismissed in stoppage time for a second yellow card, before the situation escalated dramatically on the pitch in Spain’s second tier.

What happened in the derby

The match between Real Zaragoza and Huesca turned chaotic in the closing stages. Andrada was initially shown a second yellow card, resulting in an automatic red card and dismissal from the game.

However, the situation worsened after his exit from the field. According to reports, the Argentine goalkeeper sprinted towards Huesca captain Jorge Pulido and struck him in the face with a punch.

That single moment triggered a mass confrontation involving players from both teams. Tempers flared, pushing the derby into disorder, with multiple players becoming involved in the altercation.

During the chaos, Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jiménez and Zaragoza defender Dani Tasende were also shown red cards as officials struggled to regain control.

Disciplinary ruling from Spanish federation

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) reviewed the incident and issued one of the harshest sanctions available. Andrada received a 12-match ban specifically for the violent conduct of punching Pulido, in addition to the automatic one-match suspension for his red card offence.

This brings his total suspension to 13 matches.

The RFEF’s disciplinary report described Andrada’s actions as deliberate and aggressive, stating that he ran towards Pulido in a violent manner and struck him with excessive force after being dismissed.

The committee concluded that the severity of the behaviour justified the maximum available sanction under its regulations.

In addition to the suspension, both Andrada and Real Zaragoza are expected to face financial penalties as part of the ruling.

Player apology and reaction

Following the incident, Andrada issued a public apology, expressing regret over his actions and acknowledging the damage caused to his club and reputation.

The 35-year-old goalkeeper admitted that his behaviour was unacceptable and said he deeply regretted the moment of loss of control. He emphasised that in a long professional career, he had rarely been involved in disciplinary issues, noting that his only previous red card came for a handball outside the penalty area.

Andrada also personally apologised to Jorge Pulido, stating that the incident was his fault and that emotions had overtaken him in the heat of the moment. He said he accepted responsibility and would face whatever punishment the league decided.

Club response and consequences

Real Zaragoza also reacted quickly after the match, releasing a statement condemning the incident. The club made it clear that they do not support such behaviour and described the events as damaging to their reputation.

Zaragoza confirmed that internal disciplinary action would be taken and that the club would address the matter appropriately within its own structure.

The defeat itself added further pressure, as both Zaragoza and Huesca remain in the relegation zone in Spain’s second division, making the derby result significant in the fight for survival.

Wider impact on Zaragoza’s season

The suspension of Andrada is a major blow for Zaragoza, as the goalkeeper will now miss a crucial run of fixtures during a decisive stage of the season.

With both teams struggling near the bottom of the table, every remaining match carries high importance, and losing an experienced first-choice goalkeeper for such a long period could significantly affect Zaragoza’s survival hopes.

The incident has also drawn attention to discipline and emotional control in high-pressure derby matches, particularly in leagues where relegation battles intensify tensions.

Summary

What began as a fiercely contested regional derby quickly descended into chaos after late-game frustration boiled over. A second yellow card for Esteban Andrada escalated into a violent confrontation, resulting in a punch that has now led to a lengthy 13-match suspension.

The Spanish federation’s ruling reflects the seriousness of the incident, while both the player and club have publicly acknowledged wrongdoing and expressed regret.