Owono handed maximum 12-game ban after fatal collision with Tenerife's Jesus de Miguel

FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has received a 12-game ban from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Disciplinary Committee, the maximum punishment available, following the collision that killed Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel during a LaLiga Hypermotion fixture on November 2.

De Miguel, 30, collided with Owono as both players competed for a loose ball. As Owono attempted to clear it, he struck De Miguel in the chest. The Tenerife striker suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest on the pitch and was transported to hospital by ambulance, where he died at 8am the following Tuesday morning. A preliminary autopsy report attributed his death to “accidental chest trauma,” and a police investigation has since been opened, as is standard procedure under Spanish law for deaths from non-natural causes.

Owono was sent off during the match itself and would have served a three-game suspension regardless for violent play. The RFEF Disciplinary Committee determined the full extent of his punishment under Article 102 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code, which covers violent actions causing serious injury or harm to an opponent during play and carries a ban of between four and 12 games. Owono was handed the upper limit.

Referee Manuel Angel Perez Hernandez noted in his official report that Owono was dismissed for “making a violent impact with his leg raised high on an opponent with excessive force while the ball was in play.”

In a statement released in the days following the incident, Owono 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 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 subsequently deactivated his social media accounts after receiving a significant volume of online abuse. FC Andorra defender Lautaro Spatz publicly offered his support to his teammate in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Spanish football observed a period of mourning following De Miguel’s death, with tributes paid across the country to the 30-year-old forward.