Historic lockdown in Spain
Goalkeeper suspended for 13 games after punch
April 29, 2026 – 7:10 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Zaragoza’s keeper Andrada knocked down the opposing captain in the relegation duel at SD Huesca. The association’s penalty is so drastic that sports newspapers describe it as “historic”.
The Spanish Football Federation RFEF has suspended Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada for 13 games. The 35-year-old Argentine struck down opposing captain Jorge Pulido with a punch after being sent off in the second division derby at SD Huesca. A one-game ban automatically followed the yellow-red card. Twelve more games were added because of the gross assault.
The incident occurred in the eighth minute of stoppage time. Zaragoza was 1-0 down at the time and was pushing for an equalizer. When the referee checked a scene on the VAR, Andrada spoke to him. Huesca captain Pulido stood in the way of the goalkeeper – and was pushed away by him. Andrada then saw yellow-red and lost control. He knocked Pulido down. There was turmoil on the square and the police intervened at times. Only after a few minutes and two more dismissals did the situation calm down.
Spanish TV channels repeatedly showed and commented on the scandal. Most Spanish sports newspapers described the punishment now imposed as “historic”.
Andrada spoke up after the game. “I regret it very much,” the Argentine said several times. Something like that had never happened to him in his career; his fuses had blown. He asks Pulido for forgiveness and accepts the consequences.
Esteban Andrada played four games for the Argentine national team. Before moving to Zaragoza last summer, he took part in the Club World Cup in the USA with Mexican club CF Monterrey.
