Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada banned 13 matches for punching opponent

Key facts

• Esteban Andrada, 35, on loan from Monterrey, punched Huesca captain Jorge Pulido in the face after being sent off.
• The RFEF handed Andrada a 12-match ban for the punch plus an automatic one-match ban for the red card, totaling 13 matches.
• Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jiménez received a four-match suspension for punching Andrada during the ensuing brawl.
• Zaragoza defender Dani Tasende was also dismissed in the melee.
• The incident occurred in the 98th minute of a heated second-division derby; Zaragoza lost 1-0 and remain in the relegation zone.
• Andrada apologized publicly, saying he 'lost focus' and accepted the consequences.
• Zaragoza issued a statement condemning the actions and promising disciplinary measures.
• The suspensions can be appealed.

A punch that ended a season

Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has been suspended for 13 matches after punching Huesca captain Jorge Pulido in the face during a second-division derby on Sunday. The ban, imposed by the Spanish football federation (RFEF), effectively ends the Argentine's season and deals a severe blow to Zaragoza's fight against relegation. The incident occurred in stoppage time, with Zaragoza already trailing 1-0. Andrada, who had been booked earlier, shoved Pulido to the ground and received a second yellow card. Instead of leaving the pitch, he sprinted toward Pulido and delivered a powerful right-hand punch to the face, causing the defender to collapse.

Chaos on the pitch

The punch sparked a mass brawl involving players and staff from both teams. Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jiménez was sent off for punching Andrada during the melee, and Zaragoza defender Dani Tasende also received a red card. described Andrada as 'running and jumping' toward Pulido 'violently and aggressively' and using 'excessive force.' The federation stated that the circumstances 'fully justify the imposition of the maximum sanction of a 12-match suspension,' in addition to the automatic one-match ban for the red card. Both Andrada and Zaragoza face additional financial penalties.

An apology and a club's condemnation

Andrada, 35, issued a public apology on Sunday. '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.' He added, 'Throughout my career, I've only had one red card, and that was for a handball outside the penalty area. I also want to apologize to Jorge Pulido because we are colleagues, and honestly, it was my fault. I lost focus at that moment.' Zaragoza released a statement strongly condemning the incident and promising to 'take the appropriate disciplinary measures.' The club said, 'We witnessed scenes unbecoming of this sport and which should never have occurred. These events do not represent the values of Real Zaragoza or its fans.'

Relegation battle under threat

Zaragoza currently sits in the relegation zone alongside Huesca after the 1-0 loss. Andrada's suspension rules him out for the remainder of the season and the start of the next campaign, leaving the club without its first-choice goalkeeper for a critical period. The team's hopes of avoiding relegation now rest on a replacement, with the loanee from Liga MX side Monterrey unavailable. The RFEF's disciplinary committee also fined Andrada and the club, though the exact amounts were not disclosed. The suspensions can be appealed, but no immediate announcement of an appeal has been made.

A rare outburst in a career of discipline

Andrada, an Argentine international, had a near-spotless disciplinary record before Sunday. He noted that his only previous red card was for a handball outside the penalty area. The punch, described by the federation as a 'complete loss of control,' stands in stark contrast to his professional history. The incident has drawn widespread criticism in Spain, with pundits and fans condemning the violence. The RFEF's swift and severe response reflects a zero-tolerance policy toward on-field assaults, especially in the lower divisions where scrutiny is high.

What comes next

Zaragoza must now navigate the remaining matches without Andrada, while Huesca will be without Jiménez for four games. Both clubs face the possibility of further sanctions if the federation deems their conduct inadequate. The brawl also raises questions about player discipline and the intensity of derby matches in La Liga 2. Andrada's future at Zaragoza is uncertain; his loan from Monterrey may be cut short, and the club could seek to terminate his contract. For now, the goalkeeper's career in Spain hangs in the balance as he awaits the outcome of any potential appeal.

A cautionary tale for professional football

The Andrada case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of losing composure on the pitch. A single moment of violence has not only derailed a player's season but also jeopardized his club's survival in the second division. The RFEF's maximum sanction underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are treated. As Zaragoza and Huesca prepare for their next fixtures, the image of Andrada's punch will linger—a cautionary tale for professionals at all levels. The sport's governing bodies have made clear that such behavior will not be tolerated, and the penalties will be severe.

The bottom line

• Esteban Andrada received a 13-match ban (12 for the punch, 1 for the red card) after punching Jorge Pulido.
• The brawl resulted in red cards for Dani Jiménez (4-match ban) and Dani Tasende.
• Zaragoza remains in the relegation zone after the 1-0 loss, and Andrada's absence hurts their survival hopes.
• Andrada apologized, citing a loss of focus; Zaragoza condemned the incident and promised internal discipline.
• The suspensions are appealable, but no appeal has been announced yet.
• The RFEF's maximum sanction reflects a zero-tolerance policy toward on-field violence.