FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono handed 12-match ban after challenge that preceded Jesus de Miguel's death
FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been suspended for 12 matches by the Royal Spanish Football Federation over a challenge during a Spanish second-division fixture between Tenerife and Andorra on November 2 that preceded the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel. The federation said it applied the maximum sanction available under its disciplinary code, citing excessive force in the challenge.
De Miguel was chasing a long ball in midfield when Owono rushed out of his penalty area to clear it; the goalkeeper’s raised leg struck the forward in the chest and left him motionless on the pitch. De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest and died in hospital the following day, aged 30. Owono received a straight red card and the match was abandoned in stoppage time with the score at 2-2; the Spanish federation later ruled the result would stand, saying resuming the remaining minutes would be inappropriate given the circumstances.
The disciplinary committee applied Article 102 of the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s code, which covers violent conduct during play that results in serious injury and allows suspensions ranging from four to 12 matches, and decided the nature of the challenge and its consequences warranted the maximum sanction. The ruling, which also carries additional financial penalties under the federation’s disciplinary regulations, was announced on November 13, ten days after De Miguel’s death, and was based on the referee’s report describing a forceful impact with a raised leg while the ball was in play.
In explaining its decision, the committee quoted the referee’s description and said: "The referee's own description makes it possible to appreciate the particular seriousness of the action, both because of the way it was carried out, with the leg raised, and because of the forcefulness of the impact, which the referee expressly described as excessive." The committee also acknowledged De Miguel’s death and said the exceptional circumstances justified imposing the 12-match suspension.
Spanish police opened a judicial investigation in Tenerife, as required in cases involving deaths from non-natural causes, and the inquiry is being conducted under judicial supervision to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. Opening such an investigation does not automatically lead to criminal proceedings, and Tenerife chief prosecutor Jose Luis Sanchez-Jauregui has indicated a criminal case is unlikely given that the collision occurred during active play.
Owono has not returned to training since the incident and remains deeply affected, the club said. In a statement released through FC Andorra he said: "These have been the hardest days of my life. I'm struggling to find the words and find it very difficult to come to terms with anything that has happened. I feel immense grief at the loss of Jesus," he said. "My thoughts are with him, his family and everyone who loved him. I know there will be many matters to address, and I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect. But right now, quite honestly, I cannot think of anything other than Jesus and the grief we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesus." Andorra manager Carles Manso added: "He is deeply affected by the situation. We will give him the space to feel completely free to decide whether, and when, he might want to return." The goalkeeper also withdrew from Equatorial Guinea's squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Zimbabwe; his return to competitive football remains uncertain.
The federation said the ruling addresses sporting discipline and does not establish criminal liability. Any question of criminal responsibility remains with the judicial authorities conducting the Tenerife inquiry, which is separate from the RFEF’s disciplinary process.
