Jesús Owono Gets 12-Match Ban After Violent Chest Strike on Jesús de Miguel

Owono gets 12-match ban

FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono received a 12-match suspension from the Spanish Football Federation's disciplinary committee after his challenge that resulted in the death of CD Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel. The disciplinary committee said it had to base its decision "on the facts expressly recorded in the referee's report" and it cited the referee's description that Owono "was sent off for 'violently striking an opponent in the chest with his leg, using excessive force, while the ball was in play'." The incident occurred during the match on 2 November, and Jesús de Miguel died the following day, aged 30, after the collision during the closing stages of the second-tier match between the two sides.

The disciplinary committee also decided the game, which was abandoned seven minutes into stoppage time, would not be replayed, and it said the result would stand at 2-2. FC Andorra manager Carles Manso said Owono is "completely free to make any decision" on whether he will return to football after the incident.

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Reporting for this sectionBBC

Referee report and mourning

Referee Manuel Angel Perez Hernandez explained in his 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."

The BBC said the disciplinary committee concluded that "the maximum sanction, a 12-match suspension, is justified" based on the nature of the conduct and the circumstances described in the referee's report.

AOL.co.uk said Jesús de Miguel died after he collided with Owono in a LaLiga Hypermotion game on November 2, and it said a preliminary autopsy report stated De Miguel died from "accidental chest trauma."

AOL.co.uk also said De Miguel went into a cardiorespiratory arrest on the pitch, and it said he died at 8am on the morning of November 3.

Owono issued a statement in which he 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."

Reporting for this sectionAOL.co.uk

What happens next

The disciplinary committee said it applied Article 102 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code, which provides for a suspension of between four and twelve matches for violent actions during play that cause injuries considered serious. Diario AS said the committee justified the maximum sanction because the referee's description recognized "the special gravity justifies imposing the sanction at its maximum degree, that is, twelve matches of suspension." The BBC reported that the federation decided the abandoned match would not be replayed, and it said the 2-2 result would now stand as "the most respectful course of action, given the extraordinary and tragic circumstances of this case."

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Spanish police opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter, and the AP said under Spanish law deaths from non-natural causes are subject to judicial investigation. FC Andorra owner Gerard Pique said the club had "no confirmation or notification whatsoever" about whether Owono and other suspended players were sanctioned as the club prepared to travel for its next match.

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Reporting for this sectionDiario ASBBC