A goalkeeper who punched an opponent in a furious rage after being sent off in a Spanish second division match has been banned for 13 games.
Real Zaragoza’s Esteban Andrada floored Huesca defender Jorge Pulido after punching him in the face in a shocking incident during a heated clash on Sunday.
The Argentine, 35, had been dismissed for a second yellow card before chasing after Pulido and striking him.
His antics sparked a huge brawl which also saw opposition goalkeeper Dani Jimenez lash out at Andrada with a retaliatory punch on the back of his head.
The Spanish Football Federation said on Wednesday that Andrada would be suspended for 12 matches for the punch, along with the automatic one-match ban for being sent off.
Andrada issued a grovelling apology in the aftermath of the Aragonese derby, which Huesca won 1-0, and admitted he had ‘lost focus’.
Real Zaragoza’s Esteban Andrada floored Huesca defender Jorge Pulido in a shocking incident
The match descended into a brawl, with two more players being sent off in the fracas
‘I’m very sorry for what happened,’ he said. ‘It’s not a good image for the club, for the fans, and especially not for a professional like myself, so I’m very sorry.
‘Throughout my career, I’ve only had one red card, and that was for a handball outside the area. It was a critical situation where I lost my focus and reacted that way.
‘I’m very sorry and I won’t do it again because I know that I’m a public figure, a professional with many years in my career, and I also want to apologise to Jorge Pulido because we’re colleagues.
‘Honestly, it was my own fault; I lost my focus at that moment, and well, I’m here for whatever consequences the league may give me, or if they want me to come and give explanations, I’m available for that.’
Andrada was sent off moments before the punch with a second yellow as he pushed Pulido to the floor.
Once Pulido was up, the Argentinian goalkeeper chased him down and unleashed a wicked strike to the face.
Dozens of players and staff were involved in the ensuing melee. Zaragoza’s Dani Tasende was also dismissed and has been given a two-game ban, while Jimenez has been slapped with a four-match suspension.
‘It’s all regrettable. There are lines we can’t cross,’ said Zaragoza boss David Navarro.
Huesca manager Jose Luis added: ‘It’s hard to explain. I think it’s a complete loss of control.
‘I can put myself in their shoes, given what was at stake and all. But it’s unjustifiable.
‘It’s ugly. This was supposed to be a celebration of Aragonese football. I’d like people to talk about the match, even though it was ugly, with little play but a lot of hard work.’
Andrada has four caps for Argentina and is likely to have played his last game for Zaragoza as he is on loan from Mexican club Monterrey.
