Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has issued a grovelling apology after his violent assault on Jorge Pulido within the side’s clash with Huesca.
The shocking incident played out after Andrada was shown a second yellow card for shoving over Pulido on the touchline, with Huesca holding a narrow one-goal lead within the closing stages of the Spanish second-tier match.
The moment referee Damaso Arcediano Monescillo brandished his red card, Andrada completely lost his cool, sprinting back towards Pulido as tensions escalated in Sunday’s bad-tempered clash between the 2 relegation-threatened teams.
Footage of what happened next have gone viral across social media, with the Argentina international pictured swinging his right fist into an unsuspecting Pulido from behind, sparking a mass brawl between each sets of players.
Opposition goalkeeper Dani Jimenez and Zaragoza defender Dani Tasende were also given their marching orders for the part they played within the melee at Huesca’s Estadio El Alcoraz.
Centre-back Pulido, formerly of Atletico Madrid, was later seen holding a big ice pack to the side of his face. It’s unclear at this stage if the injuries the Spaniard sustained within the attack are serious.
Andrada, meanwhile, issued a press release within the aftermath of Zaragoza’s 1-0 defeat, insisting he was ‘very sorry’ and claiming he was ‘here to face the results with the league’.
‘The reality is, I’m very sorry for what happened,’ the 35-year-old – who has been capped 4 times by Argentina – said in a brief video shared on Zaragoza’s social media pages.
‘It’s not a great image for the club, for the fans, or for knowledgeable like myself, so I’m very sorry.
‘Throughout my profession, I’ve only had one red card for handling the ball outside the penalty area.
‘It was a critical situation where I lost control and reacted that way, but I’m very sorry and I do know I wouldn’t do it again.’
Andrada added: ‘I do know I’m a public figure, knowledgeable with a few years of experience, and all I can do is apologise to Jorge Pulido because we’re colleagues.
‘Truthfully, it was my very own actions and I lost focus in that moment.
‘I’m here to face the results with the league, or in the event that they want me to return and explain, I’m available.’
A separate statement from Zaragoza, who sit second-bottom in La Liga 2, ‘strongly condemned’ Andrada’s behaviour and vowed to ‘take the suitable disciplinary measures’ in the end.
‘We witnessed scenes unbecoming of this sport and which should never have occurred,’ it read.
‘These events don’t represent the values of Real Zaragoza or its fans, who throughout its history have been characterised by sportsmanship, courage, and respect for the opponent.
‘We’re role models and examples for a lot of fans, especially children, who cheer us on at every match and aspire to at some point change into one in all their idols.
‘That’s the reason these regrettable images should never have been seen.’
Zaragoza manager David Narrarro added: ‘There are lines we will’t cross.’
Huesca head coach Jose Luis, meanwhile, stated: ‘It’s hard to clarify. I feel it’s an entire lack of control.
‘I can put myself of their shoes, given what was at stake and all. However it’s unjustifiable.
‘It’s ugly. This was presupposed to be a celebration of Aragonese football. I’d like people to speak in regards to the match, although it was ugly, with little play but plenty of labor.’
Oscar Sielva scored what proved to be the winning goal as Nineteenth-placed Huesca clung on to maneuver one point clear of Zaragoza within the Segunda Division table.
Andrada should expect to be slapped with a lengthy suspension and appears more likely to miss the remaining five matches of Zaragoza’s desperate fight for survival.
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