Owono given 12-match ban after fatal collision with De Miguel

Summarised from 9 outlets · 12 reports · Updated 14 Nov, 15:49 · Archive

FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been suspended for 12 matches by the Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee following a collision with Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel during a second-division match on 2 November. De Miguel, 30, suffered cardiac arrest after the impact and was taken to hospital, where he died the following day.

Owono, an Equatorial Guinea international aged 25, was sent off immediately after the incident. He had rushed far outside his area while attempting to clear a high ball in midfield when he collided with De Miguel, striking him in the chest with his leg.

The disciplinary committee said it had based its decision on 'the facts expressly recorded in the referee's report', which stated that Owono 'was sent off for violently striking an opponent in the chest with his leg, using excessive force, while the ball was in play'. In its statement, the committee noted that 'the tragic outcome of the incident, resulting in the death of Jesus de Miguel, is public knowledge' and said that 'the nature of the conduct described and the accompanying circumstances' justified 'the maximum sanction, 12 matches of suspension'.

In a statement released by FC Andorra, Owono said: 'These are the most difficult days of my life. I'm struggling to find the words and finding it very difficult to process anything that has happened. I feel immense 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 issues to address, and I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect.'

Andorra manager Carles Manso said on Thursday that Owono has not yet decided whether he will return to playing. 'What we have to do is support him in every way and be close to him,' Manso 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.' Owono was not selected for Equatorial Guinea's recent international fixtures.

The Spanish football federation also decided that the match between Andorra and Tenerife, which was abandoned during stoppage time with the score at 2–2, will not be replayed. 'This avoids having to resume play from the precise moment at which the tragic incident occurred,' the federation said, describing it as 'the most respectful course of action, given the extraordinary and tragic circumstances of this case'.

Spanish police opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter, which is standard procedure under Spanish law for deaths from non-natural causes. Prosecutors have indicated that criminal proceedings are unlikely. De Miguel's family released a statement thanking those who contributed to a crowdfunding campaign set up by Fran Sol, a forward for Spanish third-tier side Hercules, which raised over £170,000.

How it is being reported

• Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono handed ban for tackle that led to Jesus de Miguel deathJesus Owono has been given a 12-game suspension (AP Photos) FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been banned for 12 games for his tackle that resulted in the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel. The 25-year-old was sent off after his collision with De Miguel near the halfway line late in…Metro · 14 Nov, 12:42
• Goalkeeper given 12-game ban for fatal collision with Tenerife strikerAndorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been suspended for 12 games after an on-field collision that resulted in the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel.Sky News · 14 Nov, 08:12
• Goalkeeper Owono given 12-match ban after De Miguel's death from collisionFC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been suspended for 12 matches for his challenge of "excessive force" which resulted in the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel.Sky Sports · 14 Nov, 07:22
• Goalkeeper Owono handed 12-match ban after De Miguel deathOwono and De Miguel collided during a Spanish second-tier match between FC Andorra and Tenerife on November 2.Al Jazeera · 14 Nov, 05:59
• Andorra goalie hit with massive suspension after brutal collision led to death of opponentThe Spanish soccer federation’s disciplinary committee issued the suspension for Owono.New York Post · 14 Nov, 00:16
• Goalkeeper involved in fatal collision gets 12-game banJesus Owono is given a 12-match suspension by the Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee after his challenge which resulted in the death of Jesus de Miguel.BBC News · 13 Nov, 22:37
• Andorra goalkeeper banned for 12 matches after Jesus de Miguel’s death following on-pitch collisionJesus de Miguel died last week following an on-pitch collision with Jesus OwonoIndependent Sport · 13 Nov, 22:32
• Jesús Owono given 12-match ban for tackle that resulted in Jesús de Miguel’s deathFC Andorra goalkeeper collided with De Miguel Owono: ‘I feel immense pain over the loss of Jesús’ FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono was suspended for 12 matches by the Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee on Friday after his challenge on Jesús de Miguel resulted in the death of the Tenerife striker last week. Owono, an Equatorial Guinea international, was sent off in the second division match on 2 November after racing into midfield and colliding with De Miguel while trying to clear an aerial ball. After the collision De Miguel, 30, was placed in intensive care in hospital…The Guardian · 13 Nov, 22:04
• Goalkeeper involved in fatal collision with Spanish footballer Jesus de Miguel given 12-MATCH ban - and may never return to footballThe goalkeeper involved in the collision that killed Spanish footballer Jesus de Miguel has been hit with a 12-match ban - but may never return.Daily Mail Sport · 13 Nov, 21:30
• Goalkeeper involved in fatal Jesus de Miguel collision receives huge ban from footballAfter the tragic death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel, the goalkeeper who was involved in the collision has been handed a huge ban from footballThe Mirror · 13 Nov, 21:04
• Owono undecided over future following De Miguel deathFC Andorra manager Carles Manso says goalkeeper Jesus Owono is yet to decide whether he will return to playing action following the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel.BBC Sport · 12 Nov, 15:39
• Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono undecided on football return after Jesus de Miguel’s tragic deathJesus de Miguel died last week following an on-pitch collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus OwonoIndependent Sport · 12 Nov, 14:29

In this story: Jesus Owono · Jesus de Miguel · FC Andorra · Tenerife · Spanish Football Federation · Equatorial Guinea

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