Goalkeeper Jesus Owono faces four-year prison term after Jesus de Miguel's death

Andorra FC goalkeeper Jesus Owono faces the prospect of a four-year prison sentence after Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel died in hospital in Santa Cruz on Tuesday morning, following a collision between the two players in a La Liga 2 fixture.

De Miguel, 30, was knocked to the ground when his chest collided with Owono’s knee as the Equatorial Guinea international rushed from his goal to challenge the forward late in the match. Owono was shown a red card by referee Manuel Angel Perez Hernandez, and left the field to chants of “assassin” from Tenerife supporters as the game was abandoned with Andorra trailing 2-0 and reduced to ten men.

De Miguel’s condition was initially described as “stable, given the seriousness of the condition” on Monday night, but Tenerife released a second statement in the early hours of Tuesday confirming he had “deteriorated neurologically”. The club later confirmed his death on Tuesday morning.

The Homicide Group of the National Police in Santa Cruz is already reported to be investigating the circumstances of De Miguel’s death. Under Article 142 of the Spanish Penal Code, which distinguishes between manslaughter due to gross negligence and manslaughter due to less serious negligence, Owono could face up to four years in prison if gross negligence is established. A lesser charge may result only in a fine.

Separately, the Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Code allows for bans of between four and 12 matches for players found guilty of violent conduct that results in serious injury, though there are no established precedents for a case of this nature in Spanish football.

Owono was reported to have been crying and praying in the dressing room after the match was abandoned. He has since deleted his Instagram account following an influx of online abuse. Social media calls for a lifetime ban from football have circulated widely since news of De Miguel’s death broke.

The Equatorial Guinean Football Federation president, Venancio Tomas Ndong Micha, expressed “full solidarity and support” for Owono while offering condolences to De Miguel’s family. Andorra centre-back Lautaro Spatz also released a statement in support of his team-mate, stating that Owono “would never intentionally hurt anyone”.