Spain's Jesús Owono Receives 12-Match Ban After Tragic Death
A Heartbreaking Incident on the Field
In a devastating event that has sent shockwaves through the football community, FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono has been banned for 12 matches after a collision that resulted in the tragic death of CD Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel. The accident unfolded on November 2 during a LaLiga Hypermotion match, where the two players collided during stoppage time, bringing the game to a chilling halt at 2-2.
Incident Overview
Owono, 25, charged aggressively outside his penalty area to contest an aerial ball, leading to a forceful contact with De Miguel, whose tragic fate unfolded soon after the incident. Following the collision, referee Manuel Ángel Pérez Hernández issued a straight red card due to what was deemed excessive force. The match was subsequently abandoned as emergency personnel arrived to attend to De Miguel, who suffered a cardiac arrest and sadly passed away the next morning in a local hospital.
Disciplinary Actions and Investigations
Following the incident, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) took swift action. The RFEF Disciplinary Committee cited Article 102 of its Disciplinary Code, which addresses violent conduct leading to severe consequences.
- The committee deemed the challenge as particularly severe due to the raised leg and excessive force, thus imposing the maximum penalty of a 12-match ban along with mandatory financial fines under Article 52.
- Additionally, Spanish police have launched an inquiry into potential involuntary manslaughter, standard practice for non-natural deaths in the country, indicating the serious nature of the incident.
Emotional Aftermath and Reactions
The tragedy has weighed heavily on all involved, with Jesús Owono expressing his grief through a statement where he referred to the last two weeks as some of the hardest in his life. He closed his social media accounts due to the online abuse he received and extended his condolences to De Miguel's family.
- FC Andorra head coach Carles Manso announced that the club is offering psychological support for Owono, emphasizing that his return to football will be determined by his mental readiness after the suspension.
- The funeral for Jesús de Miguel drew hundreds of mourners, including prominent figures like Spain national team manager Luis de la Fuente and Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, underscoring the wide-reaching impact of this loss.
In a show of respect, the RFEF postponed matches involving both FC Andorra and CD Tenerife as the football world mourned De Miguel’s passing. The ill-fated match from November 2 has been officially recorded as a 2-2 draw, allowing both teams to prepare for their upcoming fixtures without replaying the tragic event.
While the disciplinary decision provides some closure from the RFEF’s standpoint, the impact of this incident continues to resonate across Spanish football, highlighting the inherent risks within the sport and the profound human costs involved.
