Penalties also for another duo
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Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has been suspended for 13 matches after his violent outburst. This was announced by the Spanish (Site notre bureau spécialisé) federation RFEF. The 35-year-old Argentine initially received a yellow-red card last Sunday, which automatically carries a one-match suspension. He was then banned for twelve more matches for the crude assault that followed his expulsion.
Andrada had completely lost his composure during the second division relegation duel at SD Huesca – a derby in the Aragon region. He knocked down opposing captain Jorge Pulido (35) with a punch. The scandal was the subject of intense discussion across Spain, with television channels broadcasting and commenting on it repeatedly. Most sports newspapers described the sanction now imposed as “historic”.
What had happened? The visitors were 1-0 down in the eighth minute of added time and were looking to equalize. 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 forcibly pushed away by the goalkeeper. Andrada then saw yellow-red – and lost control. After his punch, there was excitement on the field. The police intervened several times before the situation calmed down after a few minutes and two more evictions.
After the match, Andrada felt remorseful. “I deeply regret what happened,” said the Argentine, visibly affected. Something like this had never happened to him in his career. « I would like to apologize to Jorge Pulido because we are colleagues. I lost my mind at that moment and I am here to submit to what La Liga says. »
Andrada, who played four times for Albiceleste, is currently on loan at 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 leapfrogged their rivals with a 1-0 win and now have 36 points with five matches remaining, 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 fight. Jiménez was handed a four-match ban. Zaragoza defender Dani Tasende (25), who provoked the intervention of the video referee with a kick before the formation of the peloton, had to give up twice.