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[Sports Seoul | Reporter Seong-ro Jo] Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has been hit with a lengthy suspension for assaulting an opponent, a punishment that all but ends his season.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation recently handed Andrada a 13-match ban after he struck an opponent during the match against SD Huesca.
The incident unfolded in stoppage time. Andrada received a second yellow — and a red — after pushing Huesca captain Jorge Pulido. Immediately after being dismissed, he lost his composure, ran back onto the pitch and slapped Pulido in the face.
The moment triggered an on-field confrontation between both teams. The pitch erupted into chaos, and security personnel eventually restrained Andrada before he left the area. Local outlets called the scene shocking.
The disciplinary committee took a hard line. It imposed a 12-match ban for violent conduct, with an automatic one-match suspension for the red card, bringing the total to 13 matches — effectively ruling him out for the rest of the campaign.
Andrada issued a public apology after the match, saying his behavior was “unacceptable for a professional player” and apologizing to the club and its fans. He acknowledged losing control and said he would accept responsibility.
The suspension is a major blow for Zaragoza. The club is fighting to escape the relegation zone in Spain’s second division, and losing its starting goalkeeper late in the season adds significant pressure to its survival push.
The outburst — which came amid the usual tension of a derby — ended up hurting the entire squad. Local media were swift to criticize Andrada, saying the incident overshadowed the match.
tjdfh94@sportsseoul.com
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