The goalkeeper whose challenge led to the death of a player in Spain has been suspended for 12 matches. FC Andorra's Jesus Owono was banned by the Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee on Friday after his collision with Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel resulted in the forward's death last week.
Equatorial Guinea international Owono was sent off in the second division clash on November 2 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 and died on November 3.
“The assessment of the conduct under consideration in these proceedings must be based on the facts expressly recorded in the referee’s report, which states that the player was sent off for ‘violently striking an opponent in the chest with his leg, using excessive force, while the ball was in play’,” said the committee in a statement. “The tragic outcome of the incident, resulting in the death of Jesus de Miguel Alameda, 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.”
Owono said he was enduring the “hardest days of my life” after De Miguel’s death. “These are the hardest days of my life. I struggle to find the words and it is very difficult for me to process anything that has happened,” Owono said in a statement published by his club Andorra last week. “I feel immense pain over the loss of Jesus. I think of him, of his family, and of 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. But right now, honestly, I cannot think about anything other than Jesus and the pain we are going through. Rest in peace, Jesus.”
Spanish police sources last week told AFP an investigation into what happened had been opened under judicial supervision.
FC Andorra coach Carles Manso said on Thursday it would be Owono who decides if and when he returns to football after the incident.
Last Saturday, Tenerife fans and players gathered at the club’s stadium for a memorial and farewell to De Miguel. His funeral took place last Thursday, and around 400 mourners attended, including Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- This is the first football match-death from a foul in Spain in decades, raising questions about player safety and disciplinary limits.
- The 12-match ban, the maximum possible, sets a precedent for how the federation treats challenges that result in death.
- An active police investigation means the incident could move beyond football sanctions into criminal proceedings.
Background
Jesus de Miguel, 30, was a striker for CD Tenerife in Spain's second division. On November 2, during a match against FC Andorra, goalkeeper Jesus Owono collided with him while clearing an aerial ball, striking him in the chest. De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest and died the following day. The disciplinary committee's ruling is based on the referee's report of violent conduct with excessive force.
Key Perspectives
Spanish Football Federation disciplinary committee: said the maximum 12-match ban is justified given the nature of the conduct and the tragic outcome.
Jesus Owono (FC Andorra goalkeeper): described the period as the hardest days of his life and expressed immense pain over the loss of Jesus.
Carles Manso (FC Andorra coach): said it will be Owono who decides if and when he returns to football.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the police investigation under judicial supervision, which could bring criminal charges.
- Whether Owono will return to football this season or take a longer break.
- Any potential calls for rule changes regarding goalkeeper challenges in aerial duels.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe headline says an Andorra goalkeeper was banned for 12 matches after his challenge led to an opponent’s death.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The goalkeeper whose challenge resulted in the death of a player in Spain has been banned for 12 matches.”
- SupportedThe summary says Jesus Owono’s foul on Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who later died, resulted in the maximum suspension.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono was suspended by the Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee on Friday after his challenge on Jesus de Miguel resulted in the death of the Tenerife striker last week .”
- SupportedOwono was suspended by the Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee on Friday after his challenge on De Miguel resulted in De Miguel’s death.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono was suspended by the Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee on Friday after his challenge on Jesus de Miguel resulted in the death of the Tenerife striker last week .”
- SupportedOwono was sent off on November 2 after colliding with De Miguel while trying to clear an aerial ball.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Equatorial Guinea international Owono was sent off in the second division clash on November 2 after racing into midfield and colliding with De Miguel while trying to clear an aerial ball.”
- SupportedDe Miguel was 30, was placed in intensive care after the collision, and died on November 3.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “After the collision De Miguel, 30, was placed in intensive care in hospital and the Spanish forward died on November 3.”
- SupportedThe story quotes the committee’s description of the referee’s report as saying the player was sent off for “violently striking an opponent in the chest with his leg, using excessive force, while the ball was in play”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““The assessment of the conduct under consideration in these proceedings must be based on the facts expressly recorded in the referee’s report, which states that the player was sent off for ‘violently striking an opponent in the chest with his leg, using excessive force, while the ball was in play’,””
- SupportedThe story quotes the committee as saying the death was public knowledge and that a 12-match suspension was the maximum sanction justified.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““The tragic outcome of the incident, resulting in the death of Jesus de Miguel Alameda, 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.””
- SupportedOwono said he was enduring the “hardest days of my life” and the story reproduces his statement about his grief for De Miguel.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““These are the hardest days of my life. I struggle to find the words and it is very difficult for me to process anything that has happened,” said Owono in a statement published by his club Andorra last week.”
- SupportedSpanish police sources told AFP last week that an investigation had been opened under judicial supervision.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Spanish police sources last week told AFP an investigation into what happened had been opened under judicial supervision.”
- SupportedFC Andorra coach Carles Manso said on Thursday that Owono would decide if and when he returned to football.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “FC Andorra coach Carles Manso said on Thursday it would be Owono who decides if and when he returns to football after the tragic incident.”
- SupportedTenerife fans and players gathered at the club’s stadium last Saturday for a memorial and farewell to De Miguel.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Last Saturday, Tenerife fans and players gathered at the club’s stadium for a memorial and farewell to De Miguel.”
- SupportedDe Miguel’s funeral took place last Thursday and around 400 mourners attended.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “His funeral took place last Thursday and around 400 mourners attended, including Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.”