LEADERSHIP12-Match Ban Issued Over Fatal On-Field Collision

Goalkeeper Suspended for 12 Matches After Fatal Pitch Collision

The Royal Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee has suspended FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono for 12 matches following a reckless on-field collision that led to the death of CD Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel.

Applied under Article 102 of the federation’s disciplinary code, which governs violent conduct during play resulting in severe injuries or serious consequences, the penalty represents the absolute maximum ban permitted by the rulebook. The disciplinary body confirmed that Owono used “excessive force” when he rushed outside his penalty area to contest a high ball near the end of the November 2 match in Tenerife, striking the 30-year-old striker in the chest and triggering a fatal cardiac arrest.

Division of Liability: Sporting Sanctions vs. Criminal Proceedings

The federation’s ruling applies exclusively to sports governance and carries distinct statutory boundaries from civilian law. Alongside the 12-game suspension, the federation confirmed that mandatory financial penalties prescribed under Article 52 of the code will be enforced against the player and his club, while the match itself was formally ruled complete with the score remaining a draw.

The regulatory action operates independently of ordinary legal proceedings currently underway in Spanish courts:

• Sporting Jurisdiction: The RFEF disciplinary committee handles purely administrative and competition-level infractions, resulting in the maximum sporting suspension and corresponding administrative fines.
• Judicial Jurisdiction: Because De Miguel died from non-natural causes, the National Police initiated an independent inquiry under judicial supervision to evaluate potential criminal charges, including involuntary manslaughter.

FC Andorra made psychological counselling available to its playing squad and technical staff immediately following the tragedy. Owono, who withdrew from Equatorial Guinea’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying squad, faces an uncertain professional future as both sports regulations and ordinary judicial processes proceed.

💡 Quick FAQ & IntelligenceTap to Expand

Q: What specific regulatory code was applied in the ruling against Jesús Owono?

The Royal Spanish Football Federation's disciplinary committee applied Article 102 of its code, which governs violent play resulting in serious injury, alongside financial penalties under Article 52.

Q: Does the 12-match suspension settle all legal claims surrounding the collision?

No. The sporting suspension issued by the football federation operates completely separately from civil and criminal courts, where the National Police have initiated a judicial inquiry into the cause of death.

Q: What happened to the official match result following the incident?

The Royal Spanish Football Federation ruled that the league match between FC Andorra and CD Tenerife is deemed concluded, with the final score standing as a draw.