Equatorial Guinea Goalkeeper Owono Gets 12-Match Ban Over Collision That Led To Striker’s Death

Equatorial Guinea and FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been given a 12-match suspension by the Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee after his challenge which resulted in the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel.

Owono, 25, was sent off after colliding with De Miguel during the closing stages of the second-tier match between their two respective sides on 2 November.

De Miguel died the following day, aged 30.

According to BBC Sport, the disciplinary committee said it had to base its decision “on the facts expressly recorded in the referee’s report”, which stated 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’.

“The tragic outcome of the incident, resulting in the death of Jesus de Miguel Alameda, is public knowledge.”

The committee added the “nature of the conduct described and the accompanying circumstances” means that “the maximum sanction, a 12-match suspension, is justified”.

Separately, the federation has decided the game between the two sides, which was abandoned seven minutes into stoppage time when the incident occurred, will not be replayed.

“This avoids having to resume play from the precise moment at which the tragic incident occurred,” it said.

The teams were drawing 2-2 at the time and that result will now stand, with a federation committee saying that was the “most respectful course of action, given the extraordinary and tragic circumstances of this case”.

Owono’s club issued a statement on the goalkeeper’s behalf on 4 November, in which he said he was experiencing “the most difficult days” of his life and felt “enormous pain” about De Miguel’s death.

On Thursday, FC Andorra manager Carles Manso said Equatorial Guinea international Owono is yet to decide whether he will return to football following the incident.

Manso said Owono is currently spending time with his family and is “completely free to make any decision” with regard to a potential return, adding: “What we have to do is support him in every way and be close to ​him.

“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.

“When he feels it is appropriate and when ​he feels genuinely ready to take a ​decision ⁠like that [he will do so].”