Esteban Andrada Faces Up to 13-Game Ban After Punching Opponent in Spanish Segunda Derby Brawl

Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada is staring down a suspension of up to 13 matches after punching Huesca captain Jorge Pulido in Sunday’s fiery Aragonese derby—a moment that has sent shockwaves through Spanish football and left his club scrambling to contain the fallout.

What Happened: A Derby Descends Into Chaos

The incident unfolded in the 88th minute of a tense Segunda División clash at Huesca’s El Alcoraz stadium, with both teams locked in a desperate relegation battle. Andrada, already on a yellow card, was shown a second for shoving Pulido to the ground after a VAR review. Instead of walking off, the Argentine sprinted back toward Pulido and landed a right-handed punch to his face, igniting a mass brawl that saw two more players—Huesca’s Dani Jiménez and Zaragoza’s Dani Tasende—sent off for retaliatory violence.

Video replays, which have since gone viral, show Andrada’s punch connecting squarely with Pulido’s jaw before players from both sides swarmed the scene. The match, already marred by 10 yellow cards, ended 1-0 to Huesca thanks to a 75th-minute goal from Oscar Sielva.

League Rules Could Cost Andrada Over Three Months

Under LaLiga’s disciplinary code (Article 103), Andrada’s actions fall under the category of “aggression without causing injury,” which carries a suspension of 4 to 12 matches. Still, the league’s disciplinary committee is expected to apply the maximum penalty—12 games—plus an additional match for his second yellow card, bringing the total to 13. If Pulido suffers an injury requiring medical leave, the ban could stretch to 15 matches.

For context, a 13-game suspension would sideline Andrada until late July, potentially costing him the remainder of Zaragoza’s season. The club currently sits second-bottom in the Segunda División, one point adrift of safety with five matches remaining.

Andrada Apologizes, But Club and League React Swiftly

In a video posted to Real Zaragoza’s official X account on Monday, Andrada issued a public apology, calling his actions “unforgivable” and pledging to accept any punishment.

Estoy muy arrepentido de lo sucedido. No es una buena imagen para el club, para la gente y para un profesional como yo soy. A lo largo de mi carrera solo he tenido una expulsión y fue por tocarla con la mano. Se puede ver mi trayectoria. Fue una situación límite, me salí del contexto y reaccioné de esa forma. Somos colegas y sinceramente, fue un acto mío que me desconecté en ese momento y acá estoy para las consecuencias que me diga la Liga. Si quieren que vaya a hablar para dar explicaciones, iré.

— Esteban Andrada (@EstebanAndrada) April 27, 2026

Real Zaragoza released a strongly worded statement condemning the incident, calling it “unbecoming of this sport” and vowing to capture “appropriate disciplinary measures.” The club emphasized its commitment to “sportsmanship, courage, and respect for the opponent,” adding that the images “should never have been seen.”

Huesca manager José Luis, whose team secured a crucial three points, offered a measured response: “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. But it’s unjustifiable. It’s just that I don’t know what to do or how to stop it; a brawl breaks out.”

Standings Impact: A Relegation Scrap Turns Ugly

The match’s result—Huesca’s 1-0 win—lifted them to 36 points, one point clear of the relegation zone. Zaragoza, meanwhile, remain in 21st place with 35 points, facing an uphill battle to avoid the drop. With Andrada’s suspension looming, the club may be forced to rely on backup goalkeeper Álvaro Ratón for the remainder of the campaign.

Here’s how the Segunda División table looks after Sunday’s action:

What’s Next: Disciplinary Hearing and Potential Appeals

LaLiga’s disciplinary committee is expected to convene later this week to review the incident. Andrada’s representatives may argue for a reduced suspension, citing his clean disciplinary record (his only prior red card came for a handball outside the area in 2021). However, the league has shown little leniency in recent years for violent conduct, particularly in high-stakes matches.

For Zaragoza, the immediate focus shifts to their next fixture—a home match against Racing Santander on May 3. With Andrada almost certain to be unavailable, the club’s relegation hopes now hinge on Ratón’s form and a potential points deduction for their rivals.

Key Takeaways

• Andrada’s punch could cost him 13 matches, per LaLiga’s disciplinary code, sidelining him until late July.
• Zaragoza’s relegation battle just got harder: The club sits second-bottom with five games left, and Andrada’s absence leaves them without their first-choice goalkeeper.
• Huesca’s win keeps them out of the drop zone, but the brawl overshadowed a crucial three points in their fight for survival.
• Both clubs condemned the violence, with Zaragoza calling the images “unbecoming of this sport” and Andrada issuing a public apology.
• LaLiga’s disciplinary committee will rule this week, with Andrada’s fate likely decided by mid-May.

How to Follow the Story

For real-time updates on Andrada’s suspension and Zaragoza’s relegation battle, follow these official sources:

• LaLiga’s official website (for disciplinary rulings and standings)
• Real Zaragoza’s X account (for club statements and player updates)
• SD Huesca’s official site (for post-match reactions)

What do you think of Andrada’s punishment? Should LaLiga show leniency given his apology, or is a long ban necessary to deter future violence? Share your thoughts in the comments below.