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FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has received a 12-match suspension from the Spanish Football Federation following the on-field collision that led to Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel’s death.
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The disciplinary committee justified the maximum punishment after the referee’s report described Owono’s challenge as a violent strike to De Miguel’s chest with excessive force during their Spanish second-division encounter.
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Owono expressed deep sorrow over De Miguel’s death, describing the aftermath of the tragic incident as the hardest days of his life and extending his condolences to the late striker’s family and loved ones.
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The Equatorial Guinea international withdrew from his country’s squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Zimbabwe, while Spanish police continue investigating the circumstances surrounding De Miguel’s death.
November 14, (THEWILL) – FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been handed a 12-match suspension by the Spanish Football Federation following the on-field collision that led to the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel.
Owono was sent off after rushing out of his penalty area in an attempt to clear an aerial ball before colliding with De Miguel, who was challenging for the ball in midfield in a Spanish second-division encounter between FC Andorra and Tenerife.
De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest following the collision and was subsequently rushed to hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care.
However, De Miguel died the following day, sending shockwaves across Spanish football.
In its disciplinary ruling, the Spanish football federation said the referee’s report described Owono’s challenge as a violent strike to an opponent’s chest with his leg, using excessive force while the ball was in play in a statement released by the committee.
The statement read: “The assessment of the conduct under consideration in these proceedings must be based on the facts expressly recorded in the referee’s report, which states that the player was sent off for ‘violently striking an opponent in the chest with his leg, using excessive force, while the ball was in play.
“The tragic outcome of the incident, resulting in the death of Jesus de Miguel Alameda, is public knowledge.
“In view of the nature of the conduct described and the accompanying circumstances… the maximum sanction, 12 matches of suspension, is justified.”
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Owono has been deeply affected by the incident and previously described the period following De Miguel’s death as the most difficult days of his life.
In a statement released through FC Andorra, the Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper expressed his grief over the loss of the Tenerife striker and extended his thoughts to his family and loved ones.
He said: “These are the hardest days of my life. I struggle to find the words, and it is very difficult for me to process anything that has happened.
“I feel immense pain over the loss of Jesus. I think of him, of his family, and of all the people who loved him.”
Following the tragedy, Owono withdrew from Equatorial Guinea’s squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Zimbabwe this month.
Meanwhile, Spanish police have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding De Miguel’s death under judicial supervision.
His funeral took place last Thursday and around 400 mourners attended, including Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
