Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada punched Huesca captain Jorge Pulido in the face after being sent off in stoppage time of the 37th round of the Spanish Second Division football league.
The assault occurred on Sunday night, when the Argentinian goalkeeper received a red card after pushing Pulido, causing confusion between players from both teams and requiring the quick intervention of the refereeing team.
In a video published by Zaragoza on the social network X, Andrada took full responsibility for the assault on Pulido.
“I deeply regret what happened. It’s not a good image for the club, for the people, and especially not for a professional like me. (…) I apologize to Jorge Pulido because we are colleagues. Honestly, it was an action of mine that lost my concentration at that moment,” he said.
Andrada recalled that episodes of this type are not part of his career as a footballer. “Throughout my career I’ve only had one expulsion, and that was for handling the ball outside the area. It was an extreme situation, I lost my composure and reacted that way,” he lamented.
The Argentinian also stated that he is prepared to face any disciplinary decision.
“I’m here for whatever consequences the League gives me. If they want me to give explanations, I’m available,” he stressed.
The incident prompted statements of condemnation from Zaragoza and Huesca, both regretting what happened and reinforcing the values of respect and sportsmanship that they want to see represented in the Aragonese derby.
Zaragoza regretted what happened and wrote that these actions “do not represent” the club, “which throughout its history has been characterized by its sportsmanship, courage and respect for the opponent.”
“We are role models and examples for many fans, especially children, who support us in every game and aspire to one day become one of their idols,” he recalled, adding that “these regrettable images should never have been seen,” he stressed.
Regarding Andrada’s future, the club assured that it will “analyze the events and take appropriate disciplinary measures,” without specifying what type of sanction may be applied to the Argentinian goalkeeper.
Huesca also emphasized that the events “are incompatible with the values of sport and the principles defended” by the club, reinforcing that behaviors of this nature “have no place in football” and are “very far from the respect and sportsmanship that should prevail in the competition.”
