Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been handed a 12-match ban by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following his challenge on Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel, who died a day after the incident during a Spanish second-tier match.
The 25-year-old Equatorial Guinea international was sent off after colliding with De Miguel during Andorra’s 2-2 draw against Tenerife on November 2. The Tenerife forward was taken to intensive care but died the following day.
Following a review of the incident, the RFEF’s disciplinary committee imposed the maximum suspension under its disciplinary regulations, ruling that Owono had committed a serious infringement involving violent conduct against an opponent during play.
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According to the committee, the referee’s report 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”.
The disciplinary body said the challenge constituted an infringement under Article 102 of the federation’s disciplinary code, which covers violent conduct resulting in serious injury.
“The tragic outcome of the incident, resulting in the death of Jesus de Miguel, 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,” the committee said.
The federation also confirmed that the 2-2 result would stand, despite the match being abandoned seven minutes into stoppage time following the incident.
It said the decision was intended to avoid resuming the game from the moment the incident occurred, describing that as the most respectful course of action given the tragic circumstances.
Owono also spoke about the emotional impact of the incident, describing the period as “the most difficult days of my life”.
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