Esteban Andrada: Real Zaragoza goalkeeper banned for 13 games for punching Huesca player

Real Zaragoza’s goalkeeper Esteban Andrada was suspended for 13 matches for punching the Huesca football player in the face.

Andrada was given a red card at the end of Sunday’s heated derby match in Spain’s second division for a second bookable offense in stoppage time.

The Argentine then ran towards Huesca captain Jorge Pulido and punched him in the face.

This led to a mass brawl which resulted in Huesca’s goalkeeper Dani Jimenez and Zaragoza’s Dani Tasende also being dismissed.

The Spanish football federation handed Andrada a 12-match suspension for the punch, in addition to an initial automatic one-match ban for the red card.

“The truth is, I’m very, very sorry for what happened,” Andrada, 35, said Sunday. he said.

“This is not a good image for the club, the fans and especially for a professional like me, so I’m very sorry.

“I’ve only seen one red card in my career, and that was for a handball outside the penalty area.

“I also want to apologize to Jorge Pulido because we are colleagues and to be honest it was my mistake. At that moment I lost my focus and I am here for the results that the league will give me.”

Zaragoza, which remained in the relegation zone with Huesca after the 1-0 defeat, stated in its statement on Sunday that it “strongly condemned what happened” and “will take the necessary disciplinary measures”.