Zaragoza goalkeeper given 13-game ban after derby punch provoked brawl

Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has been banned for 13 matches by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after he punched an opposition player following a sending off last week.

Andrada was shown a yellow card during Zaragoza’s 1-0 defeat to Huesca in the La Liga 2 derby match and received a second booking in the 99th minute. But instead of leaving the pitch, he ran to punch Huesca captain Jorge Pulido in the face, provoking a brawl.

The goalkeeper had to be restrained before being escorted by State Security Forces to the dressing room.

Pulido dropped to the ground, and a brawl between players and staff members from both teams ensued. Andrada later apologised for his actions.

The RFEF’s Disciplinary Committee ruled on Wednesday that the offence warranted the maximum 12-match sanction, along with the automatic one-game suspension for the sending off of the 35-year-old, who is on loan from Mexican side Monterrey.

Huesca keeper Dani Jimenez, who was then sent off for punching Andrada during the melee, was given a four-match suspension.

The suspensions can be appealed.

Zaragoza’s Dani Tasende, who received a red card for kicking an opponent in the leg following a VAR review of the brawl, has been handed a two-game suspension.

Rayo Vallecano player, Isi Palazon, was suspended for seven matches for his harsh complaints about the referee in his team’s 3-3 draw against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

He had already been substituted and was sent off for complaining from the bench in the final minutes.

Rayo had a goal disallowed after a video review awarded a penalty to Sociedad for an incident earlier in the build-up.