Andorra goalkeeper Owono banned for 12 matches after fatal collision with Tenerife forward De Miguel
FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been suspended for 12 matches by the Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee after his challenge on Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel resulted in the forward's death.
Owono and De Miguel collided during a Spanish second-tier match between FC Andorra and Tenerife on November 2.
Owono was sent off in the second division clash after racing into midfield and colliding with De Miguel while trying to clear an aerial ball.
After the collision, De Miguel, 30, was placed in intensive care in hospital, and the Spanish forward died on November 3.
On Friday the disciplinary committee suspended Owono for 12 matches, which it said was the maximum sanction.
The committee said in a statement that the assessment of the conduct must be based on the facts expressly recorded in the referee's report, which states that the player 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 also said the tragic outcome, resulting in the death of Jesus de Miguel Alameda, is public knowledge, and that in view of the nature of the conduct and the accompanying circumstances, the maximum sanction of 12 matches is justified.
Spanish police sources last week told the AFP news agency that an investigation into what happened had been opened under judicial supervision.
Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Owono said he was enduring the hardest days of his life after De Miguel's death.
In a statement published by his club Andorra, Owono said: 'These are the hardest days of my life. I struggle to find the words, and it is very difficult for me to process anything that has happened. I feel immense pain over the loss of Jesus. I think of him, of his family, and of all the people who loved him.'
He also said he knew there would be many issues to address and that he would face whatever comes with the utmost respect, but that right now he could not think about anything other than Jesus and the pain everyone is going through.
Owono, 25, withdrew from Equatorial Guinea's squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Zimbabwe this month, following De Miguel's death.
FC Andorra coach Carles Manso said on Thursday that it would be Owono who decides if and when he returns to football after the tragic incident, adding that the club would give the goalkeeper time and space to make that decision.
On Saturday, Tenerife fans and players gathered at the club's stadium for a memorial and farewell to De Miguel.
His funeral took place last Thursday and about 400 mourners attended, including Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Real Madrid President Florentino Perez.
