Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has been handed a 13-match ban after punching an opponent in the face during a Segunda Division match. The 35-year-old Argentine sparked a mass brawl at the end of Zaragoza's 1-0 defeat to local rivals Huesca on Sunday.
Incident Details
Andrada, on loan from Mexican club Monterrey, had just been sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time. He then sprinted towards Huesca captain Jorge Pulido and struck him in the face. The Spanish football federation (RFEF) imposed a 12-match suspension for the punch, in addition to the automatic one-game ban for the red card.
Apology Issued
Following the incident, Andrada expressed remorse: "The truth is I'm very, very sorry for what happened. It's not a good image for the club, for the fans, and especially not for a professional like myself. I also want to apologise to Jorge Pulido because we are colleagues, and honestly, it was my fault. I lost focus at that moment."
The brawl also resulted in teammate Dani Tasende being sent off. Zaragoza remain in the relegation zone, three points from safety with five games remaining.
Club Condemnation
Real Zaragoza released a statement condemning the scenes: "In the final moments of the match, we witnessed scenes unbecoming of this sport. These events do not represent the values of Real Zaragoza or its fans. The club strongly condemns what happened and will take appropriate disciplinary measures."
Andrada's contract with parent club Monterrey expires in June, meaning he may have played his final game for Zaragoza.
