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The Incident that Sparked the 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 Aftermath and Other Suspensions 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. 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. Other Disciplinary Actions 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. The suspensions can be appealed.

The LeadThe Spanish football federation has banned Real Zaragoza's goalkeeper Esteban Andrada for 13 matches after he punched a Huesca player in the face during a heated second-tier derby. The former Argentina international and his club will also face financial penalties for the incident that occurred in stoppage time of last Sunday's match.The On-Field IncidentThe 35-year-old goalkeeper, on loan from Mexican side Monterrey, was already on a yellow card when he shoved over Huesca's Jorge Pulido, earning a second yellow card and subsequent red. Instead of leaving the pitch peacefully, Andrada became enraged, running to hit Pulido and sparking a massive brawl on the field as the match approached its conclusion. Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jiménez and Zaragoza's Dani Tasende were also sent off in the aftermath of the confrontation.The ConsequencesThe federation's disciplinary committee imposed a 12-match ban for the punch, with Andrada's initial red card carrying an automatic one-match suspension, totaling 13 games. The goalkeeper has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, dealing a significant blow to Zaragoza's hopes of avoiding relegation as they currently sit second-bottom in the league. Huesca's Jiménez received a four-match ban, while Tasende was suspended for two matches. Huesca held on to secure a 1-0 home victory in the match affected by the violent incident.The Aftermath"The truth is I'm very, very sorry for what happened," said Andrada after the match. "It's not a good image for the club, for the fans, and especially not for a professional like myself." Zaragoza also issued a statement, acknowledging the severity of the incident: "We witnessed scenes unbecoming of this sport and which should never have occurred." The suspensions and fines will likely impact both teams' remaining fixtures as they battle for different positions in the league table.

On April 27, 2026, a heated La Liga 2 derby between Real Zaragoza and SD Huesca erupted when Zaragoza’s keeper Esteban Andrada punched opponent Jorge Pulido, leading to multiple red cards and a 1‑0 victory for Huesca.Red Card and a Punch: The Incident that Ignited a Derby BrawlAfter being sent off for pushing Pulido, Andrada ran back into the fray and struck the forward in the face, sparking a chaotic brawl that saw Huesca keeper Dani Jimenez and Zaragoza defender Dani Tasende also dismissed.Potential Disciplinary Fallout: Up to 12‑Match Ban on the HorizonThe Spanish federation can impose a sanction of up to 12 matches for violent conduct, in addition to the automatic one‑match suspension for the red card. Zaragoza’s statement condemned the “unbecoming” scenes and promised an internal review.Relegation Stakes Heightened for Both Zaragoza and HuescaBoth clubs sit in the relegation zone of La Liga 2.The loss leaves Zaragoza further behind safety, while Huesca’s win offers a brief reprieve.Any extended suspension for Andrada could force Zaragoza to rely on a backup keeper during a critical run‑in.What Lies Ahead: Club Responses and League SanctionsZaragoza is expected to conduct its own disciplinary hearing, while the league will decide the final length of the ban. The incident may also prompt stricter enforcement of violent conduct rules in Spanish lower‑division football.

The question of which team has gone furthest in Europe while being relegated in the same season was posed, sparked by Tottenham's Champions League participation despite a relegation battle. Teams like Nottingham Forest and Fiorentina are currently in similar situations.Celta Vigo went from fourth in La Liga in 2002-03 to 19th the next year but reached the Champions League round of 16, where they lost to Arsenal. Perugia reached the last 16 of the Uefa Cup in the same season they were relegated, losing to PSV Eindhoven.Juventus was relegated due to the Calciopoli scandal after reaching the Champions League quarter-finals. Villarreal earned zero points in their Champions League group in 2011-12 and were relegated.Several teams have been eliminated early in European competitions while being relegated, such as Real Zaragoza, Alavés, and Espanyol. In England, Blackburn Rovers, Bradford City, and Ipswich Town experienced similar situations.The article also touches on teams that were unbeaten in European competitions but still eliminated, such as Espanyol in 2006-07, who went 15 games without defeat but lost on penalties in the Uefa Cup final.Teams that were unbeaten and eliminated include Feyenoord, AEK Athens, AC Milan, Valencia, Chelsea, Montpellier, Arsenal, and RWD Molenbeek, among others.