FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been suspended for 12 matches after a collision during a Spanish second-division game resulted in the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel.
BARCELONA: FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been handed a 12-match suspension by the Spanish football federation following a fatal on-field collision that led to the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel.
The incident occurred during a Spanish second-division match on November 2, when Owono, an international goalkeeper representing Equatorial Guinea, was sent off after colliding with De Miguel while attempting to clear an aerial ball.
According to the reported details, Owono rushed out towards midfield to challenge the Tenerife forward. The collision left De Miguel seriously injured, prompting immediate medical attention from officials and medical personnel on the pitch.
The striker was subsequently transferred to hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit. Although his condition was initially described as stable, his health later deteriorated, and he died on November 3.
Following the incident, the disciplinary committee of the Spanish football federation reviewed the challenge and imposed a 12-match suspension on Owono.
The punishment comes amid wider scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the collision, which has also triggered a judicial investigation under Spanish law.
Authorities have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter in connection with De Miguel’s death. The investigation is intended to examine the circumstances of the fatal incident and determine whether any criminal responsibility may arise.
However, prosecutors have indicated that criminal proceedings against the goalkeeper are unlikely.
The disciplinary action and judicial investigation represent separate processes, with the football authorities addressing the on-field incident through sporting regulations while law enforcement examines the circumstances surrounding the striker’s death.
The tragedy has drawn attention to the potentially devastating consequences of collisions during professional football matches, particularly when goalkeepers leave their penalty areas to challenge attacking players for aerial balls.
While physical challenges and aerial contests are part of the game, incidents resulting in serious injuries or fatalities can lead to disciplinary scrutiny and, in some circumstances, legal investigations.
For Owono, the 12-match suspension represents a significant sporting penalty following the incident. Meanwhile, the judicial investigation remains focused on the circumstances of De Miguel’s death, although prosecutors have suggested that criminal proceedings are unlikely.
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