Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada is facing severe punishment for punching an opponent in a heated derby match with Huesca in Spain’s second division – after he had already been sent off.
The Argentine received a second yellow card for pushing over a Huesca player in stoppage time at the end of a fiery relegation battle.
He then sprinted towards Huesca captain Jorge Pulido and punched him in the face.
That led to a mass brawl, resulting in Huesca keeper Dani Jimenez and Zaragoza’s Dani Tasende also being dismissed.
“It’s hard to explain. I think it’s a complete loss of control,” Huesca manager Jose Luis said.
“I can put myself in their shoes, given what was at stake and all. But it’s unjustifiable.
“It’s ugly. This was supposed to be a celebration of Aragonese football. I’d like people to talk about the match, even though it was ugly, with little play but a lot of hard work.”
Oscar Sielva scored the only goal of the match as Huesca won 1-0. Both sides remain in the relegation zone with five games of the season remaining.
Andrada, 35, who has four caps for Argentina, is on loan at Zaragoza from Mexican club Monterrey.
“I don’t know exactly what happened. Obviously, as captain, I want to apologise,” said Zaragoza skipper Francho Serrano.
Head coach David Navarro also apologised and said the club would abide by any punishment that followed.
“It’s all regrettable,” he added. “There are lines we can’t cross.”