Esteban Andrada banned for 13 matches after violent incident
Real Zaragoza’s season has just taken a massive hit after goalkeeper Esteban Andrada was slapped with a 13-match ban for punching Huesca captain Jorge Pulido square in the face, reports BritPanorama.
The Spanish Football Federation announced the punishment today, and it’s a hefty one – the 35-year-old Argentine won’t kick another ball this campaign. The incident occurred during Sunday’s fiery second-tier derby, which Huesca won 1-0.
The federation’s disciplinary committee confirmed that both Andrada and the club will face fines on top of the lengthy suspension. The events escalated when Andrada received a second yellow card in the 99th minute for shoving Pulido to the ground.
Instead of leaving the pitch, Andrada charged back towards the Huesca skipper and struck him in the face, resulting in chaos on the pitch, necessitating intervention from state security forces to escort him to the dressing room.
The disciplinary committee decided that Andrada’s actions warranted the maximum penalty of 12 matches for violent conduct, complemented by an automatic one-match ban for the initial sending off. Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jimenez was also dismissed after punching Andrada during the melee.
Andrada expressed remorse, stating, “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.”
This ban comes at a critical moment for Zaragoza, currently sitting second-bottom in the league and desperately fighting to remain in the division. Jimenez received a four-match suspension for his involvement in the fracas, while Zaragoza left-back Dani Tasende was handed a two-game ban for his actions caught on VAR.
The club addressed the incident, stating: “We witnessed scenes unbecoming of this sport and which should never have occurred.”
In the world of competitive sport, tempers can flare, and this incident stands as a stark reminder of the thin line between passion and chaos. As Real Zaragoza navigate this turbulent period, they must now find a way to regroup and focus on their survival in the league while overcoming the distractions of a fractured squad.
