Jesus Owono Goalkeeper Gets 12-Game Ban After De Miguel’s Death
Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono has been handed a 12-match suspension by the Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee for the challenge that led to the death of Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel. The abandoned match will not be replayed and the 2-2 score stands.
Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono has been suspended for 12 matches by the Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee for the collision that led to the death of Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel. The ban is the maximum available.
Owono, 25, was sent off near the end of the second-tier match on November 2. De Miguel, 30, died the following day.
What the committee ruled
The committee said it had to base its decision "on the facts expressly recorded in the referee's report". That report stated Owono was sent off for "violently striking an opponent in the chest with his leg, using excessive force, while the ball was in play".
The panel called the outcome "public knowledge". It said the nature of the conduct and the circumstances meant "the maximum sanction, a 12-match suspension, is justified".
De Miguel was chasing a high ball in midfield when Owono rushed far outside his area and struck him in the chest. De Miguel suffered cardiac arrest after the clash.
Match will not be replayed
The federation also ruled on the game itself. It was abandoned seven minutes into stoppage time, when the incident happened, and it will not be replayed.
The teams were level at 2-2 and that result stands. A federation committee called this the "most respectful course of action, given the extraordinary and tragic circumstances of this case". The decision avoids restarting play from the exact moment of the incident.
Police inquiry and Owono's response
Spanish police opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter. Under Spanish law, deaths from non-natural causes, including accidents, are subject to judicial investigation. Prosecutors have said criminal proceedings are unlikely.
On November 4, Owono's club issued a statement on his behalf. He said he was living through "the most difficult days" of his life and felt "enormous pain" over De Miguel's death. He also offered his condolences to the De Miguel family.
Future undecided
Owono is an Equatorial Guinea international. His club manager, Carles Manso, said he has not decided whether he will play again. Manso said the goalkeeper is spending time with his family.
"He is deeply affected by the situation," Manso said. "We will give him the space to feel completely free to decide whether, and when, he might want to return."
Manso added that the club will back him fully: "What we have to do is support him in every way and be close to him."
