Zaragoza Keeper’s Punch Sparks Chaos, Draws 12-Match Ban in Spain

In a dramatic and controversial weekend in Spanish football, Esteban Andrada , goalkeeper of Real Zaragoza , has been handed a massive 12-match suspension after punching an opponent during a heated second-division clash.

The incident unfolded in the dying moments of Zaragoza’s match against SD Huesca . Tensions were already high when Andrada shoved defender Jorge Pulido to the ground. The referee immediately showed the Argentine a second yellow card , signaling his dismissal. But what followed escalated the situation far beyond a routine sending-off.

Instead of walking away, Andrada charged back toward Pulido and delivered a powerful punch to the face , sending the defender crashing to the turf. The shocking act triggered a full-blown melee , with players and staff from both sides rushing in, turning the pitch into a chaotic scene.

While Andrada later issued an apology, the disciplinary authorities came down heavily. Along with the 12-match ban for violent conduct , he received an additional one-match suspension for the red card offense.

The chaos did not stop there. Dani Jiménez , goalkeeper of Huesca, was also sent off during the scuffle for retaliating with a punch aimed at Andrada. He has been handed a four-match suspension for his involvement.

In a separate but equally notable disciplinary action, Isi Palazón of Rayo Vallecano was suspended for a total of seven matches following his harsh complaints against the referee during a 3-3 draw with Real Sociedad . Already substituted, Palazón was sent off from the bench after protesting a controversial VAR decision that denied his team a goal and instead awarded a penalty to Sociedad.

All suspensions remain subject to appeal , but the incidents have once again raised serious concerns about discipline and player conduct in high-pressure matches.