Jesus Owono banned 12 matches after challenge that preceded De Miguel's death

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has imposed a 12-match ban on Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono following his challenge on Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel, which preceded De Miguel's death. The incident occurred during a Spanish second-tier match on November 2, where Andorra drew 2-2 with Tenerife. Owono was sent off after colliding with De Miguel, who was taken to intensive care and died the following day.

The RFEF's disciplinary committee ruled that Owono had committed a serious infringement involving violent conduct against an opponent during play. According to the committee, the referee's report stated that Owono "violently struck an opponent in the chest with his leg, using excessive force, while the ball was in play". This infringement falls under Article 102 of the federation's disciplinary code, which covers violent conduct resulting in serious injury.

The disciplinary body justified the maximum sanction, citing the tragic outcome of the incident and the nature of the conduct described. The committee stated that the 12-match suspension was warranted, given the circumstances surrounding the incident. Owono's actions were deemed to be a serious offense, and the federation took into account the severity of the consequences that followed.

The 2-2 result between Andorra and Tenerife will stand, despite the match being abandoned seven minutes into stoppage time following the incident. The federation decided to let the result stand, as resuming the game from the moment the incident occurred would not have been respectful given the tragic circumstances. This decision was made to prioritize the well-being of those involved and to avoid causing further distress.

Jesus Owono has spoken about the emotional impact of the incident, describing the period as "the most difficult days of my life". The 25-year-old Equatorial Guinea international will now face a significant period on the sidelines, as he serves his 12-match ban. This suspension will undoubtedly have a significant impact on his team, Andorra, as they navigate the remainder of the season without their goalkeeper.

The football world has been mourning the loss of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died at the age of 25. The incident has raised concerns about player safety and the need for increased vigilance on the pitch. The RFEF's decision to impose the maximum sanction sends a strong message about the importance of protecting players and preventing such incidents from occurring in the future.

The incident has sparked an outpouring of tributes and condolences from the football community, with many paying their respects to Jesus de Miguel. As the sport continues to come to terms with the loss, the focus will now shift to ensuring that players are protected and that such incidents are prevented in the future. The ban imposed on Jesus Owono serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing player safety and well-being.

Key points

• Jesus Owono has been banned for 12 matches for his challenge on Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel.