FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has received a 12-match suspension from the Spanish football federation following the incident that led to the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel.
The 25-year-old Equatorial Guinea international was sent off after colliding with De Miguel during the closing stages of a Spanish second-division fixture on November 2. The Tenerife striker died the following day, aged 30.
The federation’s disciplinary committee said its decision was based on the referee’s report, which stated that Owono was dismissed for “violently striking an opponent in the chest with his leg, using excessive force, while the ball was in play”.
Although the committee acknowledged the tragic outcome, it explained that the nature of the challenge and the surrounding circumstances justified the maximum punishment of 12 matches.
The federation also ruled that the abandoned fixture would not be replayed. The match was stopped seven minutes into stoppage time following the incident, with both teams level at 2-2.
Officials said allowing the existing result to stand was the most respectful decision given the extraordinary circumstances, avoiding the need for the teams to resume play from the moment of the incident.
Owono’s club had previously released a statement on his behalf on November 4, in which the goalkeeper described the aftermath as “the most difficult days” of his life and expressed “enormous pain” over De Miguel’s death.
The goalkeeper’s future in football also remains uncertain, with FC Andorra manager Carles Manso confirming that he has yet to decide whether he will return to the game.
Manso said Owono was currently spending time with his family and had the club’s full support, stressing that no pressure would be placed on him to make an immediate decision.
“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,” Manso said.
The manager added that the club would remain close to the goalkeeper and support him whenever he felt ready to decide on his future.
Owono’s suspension followed the federation’s disciplinary assessment of the incident, while the goalkeeper continued to take time away from football following the death of De Miguel.
