Thursday, 30 Apr, 2026
Published: April 30, 2026, 04:25 PM
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has handed a severe 13-match suspension to Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada following a violent altercation during a recent La Liga 2 derby. The ruling, announced by the RFEF Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday, comes after Andrada punched an opposing player in the face during a highly charged match against Huesca last week.
The 35-year-old goalkeeper, currently on loan from Mexican side Monterrey, now faces an extended period on the sidelines that could significantly impact Zaragoza`s season campaign.
The incident occurred during the final moments of Zaragoza’s 1-0 defeat to Huesca. Tensions reached a breaking point in the 99th minute when Andrada was shown a second yellow card, resulting in his dismissal from the pitch. However, rather than heading to the locker room, the veteran goalkeeper charged toward Huesca captain Jorge Pulido and delivered a punch to his face.
The assault triggered an immediate and chaotic brawl involving players and coaching staff from both teams. State Security Forces were eventually required to intervene, escorting a restrained Andrada from the field to the dressing rooms as Pulido remained on the ground.
In its official findings, the Disciplinary Committee determined that Andrada’s actions warranted the maximum sanction of 12 matches for the physical assault. This penalty is in addition to the automatic one-match suspension incurred by his red card during the game.
Although Andrada issued a formal apology following the match, the federation maintained that the severity of the incident required a firm disciplinary response to uphold the integrity of the sport. The Argentine`s absence leaves a significant void in the Zaragoza lineup as they navigate the remaining fixtures of the second-division league.
The fallout from the derby brawl extended beyond Andrada. Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jimenez was slapped with a four-match suspension for his involvement in the melee, specifically for throwing a punch at Andrada during the confusion. Furthermore, Zaragoza’s Dani Tasende received a two-game ban after a VAR review confirmed he had kicked an opponent in the leg during the height of the confrontation.
All parties involved have the right to appeal these decisions, though the federation has historically been stringent regarding physical violence on the pitch.
This wave of disciplinary action coincides with another major suspension in Spanish football. Rayo Vallecano midfielder Isi Palazon was recently suspended for seven matches following aggressive complaints directed at the referee during a 3-3 draw against Real Sociedad. These combined rulings suggest a broader crackdown by Spanish football authorities on player misconduct and dissent.
For Real Zaragoza, losing their starting goalkeeper for more than a dozen games presents a tactical nightmare, especially given the club`s current standing in the league. The focus now shifts to how the squad will adapt without their experienced loanee in the coming months.
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