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FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been penalised after the fatal collision with Jesus de Miguel, which caused the death of the Spanish footballer. Spanish football authorities have imposed a 12-match suspension on Owono following the tragic death of Tenerife forward de Miguel, who died after a collision during a LaLiga Hypermotion match earlier this month. The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced the sanction nearly two weeks after the incident.
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It represents the maximum penalty available under Article 102 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code, which addresses violent actions that cause serious injury or harm to an opponent. Owono would have faced a standard three-match ban for violent play regardless; the extended suspension reflects the severity of the outcome. The collision occurred on 2 November 2026 during a second-tier league fixture. Both players contested a loose ball.
Goalkeeper handed massive ban following death of Spanish footballer Jesus de Miguel after fatal collision
According to the referee’s report by Manuel Angel Perez Hernandez, 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 goalkeeper’s attempted clearance struck de Miguel in the chest.De Miguel, 30, collapsed on the pitch and suffered cardiorespiratory arrest. He was rushed to hospital by ambulance but died the following morning, 3 November. A preliminary autopsy concluded that the cause of death was accidental chest trauma.
Spanish authorities have opened a police investigation, standard procedure in cases of death from non-natural causes. De Miguel was laid to rest last Thursday in his parents’ hometown of Navahermosa, Toledo. He is survived by his partner, Maria, and their one-year-old daughter, Carla. Tributes poured in across Spanish football, including memorials during Champions League matches and a formal ceremony at Tenerife’s Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez stadium.
Goalkeeper says it's the ‘most difficult days’ of his life
In a statement released after the tragedy, Owono expressed profound grief. 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.”
Owono added:
“I feel enormous pain at the loss of Jesus. I think of him, his family, and all the people who loved him… Rest in peace, Jesus.”
The goalkeeper later deactivated his social media accounts amid a wave of online abuse. FC Andorra teammate Lautaro Spatz defended Owono, describing him as deeply affected and insisting he would never have intended to cause harm. “In football, there are accidental incidents, but no one could have imagined that one of them could lead to such tragic consequences,” Spatz said.
Club owner Gerard Pique criticised the RFEF for the delay in confirming suspensions for Owono and two other players ahead of a subsequent match, arguing the uncertainty complicated squad planning. Head coach Carles Manso emphasised the club’s support for the goalkeeper, stating they would give him space to decide whether and when he feels ready to return to football.
Tenerife has pledged long-term support for de Miguel’s family. CEO Antonio Manuel Porro Granados said the club would assist the player’s daughter until she reaches adulthood, providing maximum possible support beyond legal requirements. Reports indicate the family is also expected to receive base compensation of around €360,000.
The case has reignited discussion about the risks inherent in competitive football and the balance between disciplinary accountability and recognition that some collisions, however devastating, occur without malicious intent. Owono’s ban removes him from action for a significant portion of the season, while the broader football community continues to mourn a young player whose career and life were cut short in an instant.
ALSO READ: Spanish footballer Jesus de Miguel dies at 30 after on-pitch collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper
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