Penalties also for another duo
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Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has been banned for 13 games after his violent outburst. This was announced by the Spanish football association RFEF. The 35-year-old Argentine initially received a yellow-red card last Sunday, which automatically leads to a one-game ban. He was then banned for twelve more games for the gross assault that followed his sending off.
Andrada had completely lost his nerve in the second division relegation duel at SD Huesca – a derby in the Aragon region. He knocked down the opposing captain Jorge Pulido (35) with a punch. The scandal was intensively discussed throughout Spain, with TV channels showing and commenting on it again and again. Most sports newspapers described the punishment now imposed as “historic”.
What had happened? The guests were 1-0 down in the eighth minute of injury time and were pushing for an equalizer. When the referee wanted to check a scene on the VAR, Andrada gave him a few words to say. Huesca captain Pulido confronted the goalkeeper and was forcefully pushed away by him. Andrada then saw yellow-red – and lost control. After his punch, there was turmoil on the pitch. The police intervened at times before the situation calmed down after a few minutes and two more expulsions.
After the game, Andrada was remorseful. “I deeply regret what happened,” said the visibly affected Argentine. Something like that had never happened to him in his career. “I would like to apologize to Jorge Pulido because we are colleagues. I lost my head at that moment and I am here to submit to what LaLiga says.”
Andrada, who played four times for Albiceleste, is currently on loan from Mexican first division club CF Monterrey. He will not be able to help Real Zaragoza in the relegation battle for the remaining five games of the season. Huesca moved past their rivals with a 1-0 win and are now on 36 points with five games to go, two points behind the rescue bank, but one point ahead of Zaragoza.
In addition to Andrada: Suspensions also for Jiménez and Tasende
Huesca will also have to do without their goalkeeper. Dani Jiménez (36) also attacked his counterpart Andrada in the scuffle. Jiménez was handed a four-match ban. Zaragoza’s defender Dani Tasende (25), who caused the video referee to intervene with a kick before the pack was formed, has to sit out twice.
