Real Zaragoza's on-loan goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has been handed a 13-match suspension by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following a violent incident in a Segunda División match against Huesca last week. The Argentine was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, but the lengthy ban stems from a subsequent punch thrown at Huesca's Jorge Pulido in an off-the-ball confrontation caught on video.
The RFEF's disciplinary committee sanctioned Andrada with a one-match ban for the dismissal and an additional 12 matches for the punch, which has been widely circulated on social media. The incident occurred during a tense match between two sides battling to avoid relegation from Spain's second tier. Andrada, who is on loan from Mexican club Monterrey, has since apologized for his actions, stating he "deeply regrets what happened."
Other players involved in the altercation also faced sanctions. Zaragoza's Dani Tasende received a two-match ban, while Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jiménez was suspended for four matches. The decisions come at a critical juncture in the season, with both clubs deeply embroiled in a relegation fight. The loss of their first-choice goalkeeper for the remainder of the campaign represents a severe blow to Zaragoza's survival hopes.
The 33-year-old Andrada joined the historic Spanish club on a temporary deal from Monterrey last summer. A former Argentina international with experience at Boca Juniors, he has been a regular starter for Zaragoza this season. This suspension effectively ends his loan spell, as he will be unavailable for the club's final crucial fixtures.
For parent club Monterrey, the incident and its consequences are an unwelcome development regarding a player still under contract. Andrada's future, both in the immediate term and beyond this summer when his loan expires, is now clouded by this disciplinary record. The severity of the punishment underscores the RFEF's stance on violent conduct, regardless of the competitive pressure of a relegation battle.
