Spanish Federation Hands Keeper Maximum 12-Game Ban After Opponent Dies

The Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee has suspended FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono for 12 matches, the maximum sanction, after a collision that led to the death of Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel. The decision was announced on Friday, according to Al Jazeera and the BBC.

The federation also decided that the game, which was abandoned when the incident happened, will not be replayed and that the score at the time will stand.

What happened on the pitch

Owono, 25, was sent off on Nov. 2 in a second-division match between the two clubs after colliding with De Miguel in the closing stages. Al Jazeera reported that the goalkeeper raced into midfield while trying to clear an aerial ball. The match was abandoned seven minutes into stoppage time, with the score 2-2.

De Miguel, 30, was taken to intensive care and died on Nov. 3.

What the committee decided

The committee said its ruling had to rest on the facts recorded in the referee's report. According to that report, 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 committee said the tragic outcome is public knowledge and that, given the nature of the conduct and the circumstances, the maximum 12-match suspension was justified.

On the unplayed match, the federation said not replaying it avoids having to resume play from the exact moment of the incident. A federation committee called keeping the 2-2 result the most respectful course given the extraordinary and tragic circumstances.

Al Jazeera, citing Spanish police sources speaking to AFP, reported that an investigation into what happened has been opened under judicial supervision.

What it means for Owono

The suspension is the most the committee could impose, but whether Owono plays again is a separate question. FC Andorra coach Carles Manso said Thursday that Owono, an Equatorial Guinea international, has not decided whether he will return to football. According to Manso, the goalkeeper is spending time with his family and is completely free to decide whether and when to return, and the club will support him and give him space.

In a statement published by his club, Owono said these are “the hardest days of my life” and that he feels immense pain over the loss of De Miguel. He also said he will face whatever comes with the utmost respect. Al Jazeera reported that he withdrew from Equatorial Guinea's squad for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Zimbabwe this month.

Remembering De Miguel

Tenerife fans and players gathered at the club's stadium for a memorial and farewell to De Miguel. His funeral was attended by about 400 mourners, including Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Real Madrid President Florentino Perez, Al Jazeera reported.

Around Prague, based on reporting by BBC, Al Jazeera

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