Real Saragossa goalkeeper Esteban Andrada will be sidelined for the next 13 matches after a violent outburst on the pitch resulted in a significant ban from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The incident occurred during a crucial relegation battle against SD Huesca on Sunday, April 27, 2026.
Andrada initially received a yellow card, automatically triggering a one-game suspension. However, the RFEF added a further 12 games to the penalty due to the severity of his actions following the dismissal. The 35-year-old Argentinian player lost control after being shown the red card and struck Huesca captain Jorge Pulido with a punch.
The match, a heated regional derby in Aragon, was already at a boiling point with Saragossa trailing 1-0 in the eighth minute of stoppage time. Andrada confronted the referee, and when Pulido intervened, Andrada forcefully pushed him. This initial contact earned the yellow card, but the subsequent punch led to the extended suspension.
The incident sparked a chaotic scene on the field, with players from both sides becoming involved in a melee. Police were briefly called to restore order before the situation was contained after two additional players were sent off.
Following the game, Andrada expressed remorse for his actions. Spanish media outlets have widely described the 13-game ban as “historic” in its severity. The suspension represents a major blow to Real Saragossa’s hopes of avoiding relegation from the Segunda División, as they will be without their starting goalkeeper for a substantial portion of the remainder of the season.
The incident has generated significant discussion on social media and across Spanish sports programming, highlighting the intense emotions surrounding the relegation battle between the two regional rivals.
