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Jesus Owono, the goalkeeper involved in the fatal collision with Jesus de Miguel, has been handed a 12-game ban from football. Tenerife forward De Miguel tragically died after the challenge between the two during the LaLiga Hypermotion match against FC Andorra. The incident at the start of the month saw Spanish football go into a period of mourning after it was confirmed that the 30-year-old had lost his life. Both players challenged for a loose ball near the halfway line, with Owono's knee colliding with De Miguel's chest as he attempted to clear the ball.
Owono was shown a red card. De Miguel suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest on the pitch in front of his devastated teammates, and following his transfer to hospital by ambulance, sadly passed away at 8am last Tuesday morning.
A preliminary post-mortem report concluded that De Miguel died from "accidental chest trauma." A police inquiry has since been launched, as is standard procedure under Spanish law in cases involving deaths from non-natural causes.
10 days on from the devastating tragedy, Owono — who would have faced a three-game ban regardless for violent conduct — has now been handed a far lengthier suspension.
The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation has ruled that Owono must serve a 12-match ban.
Referee Manuel Angel Perez Hernandez stated in his report that Owono was sent off for "making a violent impact with his leg raised high on an opponent with excessive force while the ball was in play."
In reaching its decision, the Disciplinary Committee applied Article 102 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code, which addresses violent conduct causing serious injury or harm to an opponent during play. A suspension ranging from four to 12 matches is linked to this regulation, meaning Owono has been handed the maximum penalty.
Following the incident, Owono issued a statement which said: "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."
Owono disabled his social media accounts after receiving a barrage of abuse. FC Andorra defender Lautaro Spatz recently offered support to his devastated teammate, saying: "I would also like to say a few words about my teammate, goalkeeper and friend, who is deeply affected by what has happened.
"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. In football, there are accidental incidents, but no one could have imagined that one of them could lead to such tragic consequences."
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