Jesus Owono, the goalkeeper involved in the fatal on-pitch collision that killed Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, has been handed a 12-match ban from football and may never return to the sport following the traumatic incident.
Owono was sent off after colliding with De Miguel during FC Andorra's LaLiga Hypermotion fixture against Tenerife on November 2. The 30-year-old striker later died from his injuries after suffering a cardiorespiratory arrest on the pitch. He was rushed to hospital by ambulance but died at 8am the following morning.
Maximum Punishment Under Article 102
A preliminary autopsy report concluded that De Miguel had died from "accidental chest trauma." He was laid to rest in his parents' hometown of Navahermosa, Toledo, last Thursday. He is survived by his partner, Maria, and their daughter, Carla.
Almost two weeks after the incident, the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed the length of Owono's suspension. The Equatorial Guinea international would have faced a three-match ban for violent play, but instead received the maximum 12-game punishment available under Article 102 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code. The regulation covers violent actions during play which cause serious injury or harm to an opponent, with sanctions ranging from four to 12 matches.
Referee's Report and Owono's Statement
Referee Manuel Angel Perez Hernandez explained in his report that Owono was dismissed for "making a violent impact with his leg raised high on an opponent with excessive force while the ball was in play." It remains unclear whether the 24-year-old will return to football following the devastating events.
Owono issued an emotional statement in the aftermath of De Miguel's death, saying: "These are the most difficult days of my life. I struggle to find the words, and I find it very hard to process what has happened. I feel enormous pain at the loss of Jesus. I think of him, his family, and all the people who loved him. I know there will be many questions to address. I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect. But right now, honestly, I cannot think about anything other than Jesus and the pain we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesus."
The goalkeeper subsequently deactivated his social media accounts after receiving a wave of abuse. His FC Andorra teammate Lautaro Spatz has also spoken out in his defence, insisting Owono would never have intended to hurt De Miguel.
"Those of us who know him are aware of the sort of person he is, how much he is suffering at this time, and that he would never have intended to harm anyone," Spatz said. "In football, there are accidental incidents, but no one could have imagined that one of them could lead to such tragic consequences."
Club Support and Tenerife's Commitment
FC Andorra owner Gerard Pique had also criticised the RFEF earlier on Friday over the time taken to confirm the disciplinary sanctions arising from the Tenerife match. Pique said the club had been left uncertain whether three players, including Owono, were eligible to feature in their following fixture against Almeria, despite the original game having taken place almost a fortnight earlier. He explained that the club had been attempting to obtain clarification from the federation, fearing that players could miss a match unnecessarily if their suspensions were not confirmed in time.
Andorra head coach Carles Manso has made clear that the club will not put pressure on Owono to return to action, if he even does at all. "What we have to do is support him in every way and be close to him," he said. "We will give him space so that he feels completely free to make any decision, whether he wants to return, when, or if he does not want to return. When he feels it is appropriate and when he feels genuinely ready to take a decision like that."
Meanwhile, Tenerife have pledged to provide financial support for De Miguel's daughter until she reaches adulthood. The club held a memorial for the striker at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium last weekend, with chief executive Antonio Manuel Porro Granados confirming they wanted to ensure his death did not leave his young family facing additional financial hardship.
"We want to be there for her at least until she reaches adulthood," he told The Athletic. "This is a commitment we have made at the initiative of our majority shareholder, Rayco Garcia, and one that we all fully support. We will provide the maximum possible support in every respect, beyond what we are legally obliged to provide. We are also exploring other ways of increasing the financial support, so that, at least in material terms, the circumstances do not affect their lives quite so much -- although, of course, it is impossible for them not to have an impact."
Reports in Spain have also suggested De Miguel's family will receive base compensation of around €360,000 (£300,000) following his death.
