Goalkeeper involved in fatal Jesus de Miguel collision receives huge ban from football

The goalkeeper involved in the fatal collision with Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel has been handed a lengthy 12-game ban from football. De Miguel tragically died after he collided with FC Andorra shot-stopper Jesus Owono in a LaLiga Hypermotion game on November 2.

Spanish football entered a period of mourning when it was confirmed that Tenerife star De Miguel had died aged just 30. The striker and opposing goalkeeper Owono both competed for a loose ball during the match, and as the Andorra star attempted to clear it, he struck De Miguel in the chest.

Owono was sent off for the incident. De Miguel went into a cardiorespiratory arrest on the pitch and, after being transported to hospital by ambulance, died at 8am on the morning of November 3. The 30-year-old was laid to rest in his parents' hometown of Navahermosa, Toledo last Thursday and is survived by his partner, Maria, and their daughter, Carla.

A preliminary autopsy report stated De Miguel died from "accidental chest trauma." A police investigation has since been opened, as is routine under Spanish law when it comes to deaths from non-natural causes.

Nearly two weeks after the horrific tragedy, Owono - who would have served a three-game suspension regardless for violent play - has been handed a 12-match ban by the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Referee Manuel Angel Perez Hernandez explained in his report that 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."

Make sure you don't miss sport's biggest stories and breaking news by making the Daily Mirror one of your Google preferred sources

Determining the sanction, the Disciplinary Committee utilised Article 102 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code, which covers violent actions that cause serious injury or harm to an opponent during play. A ban between four and 12 games is associated with the regulation; thus, Owono has received the maximum punishment.

In the wake of the incident, Owono released a statement which 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.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

"I feel enormous pain at the loss of Jesus. I think of him, his family, and all the people who loved him. I know there will be many questions to address.

"I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect. But right now, honestly, I cannot think about anything other than Jesus and the ⁠pain we are experiencing. Rest in ⁠peace, Jesus."

Owono deactivated his social media pages after he received a tidal wave of abuse. FC Andorra defender Lautaro Spatz recently supported his heartbroken teammate, saying: "I would also like to say a few words about my teammate, goalkeeper and friend, who is deeply affected by what has happened.

"Those of us who know him are aware of the sort of person he is, how much he is suffering at this time, and that he would never have intended to harm anyone. In football, there are accidental incidents, but no one could have imagined that one of them could lead to such tragic consequences."

Earlier on Friday, FC Andorra owner Gerard Pique lambasted the RFEF for taking a lengthy period to announce the sanction. He said: "We're traveling with FC Andorra to Almería, where we play tomorrow at 6:30 PM. I wanted to send this video, and it's meant as constructive criticism, so you can see the situation we're in right now as a club.

"We have three players who were suspended for various reasons on paper for the Tenerife match. One of them is Jesus Owono, then we have Efe Akman with five yellow cards, and also Lautaro de Leon, who was sent off for two yellow cards on the Tenerife match.

"This match took place two weeks ago. We play tomorrow, and even today, the day before the match, we have no confirmation or notification whatsoever that these players are sanctioned by the Federation. In other words, all three - Owono, Lautaro de Leon, and Efe Akman - could play tomorrow.

"I called the president of the RFEF to inform him of this situation and I'm waiting to hear back. We've tried every possible way, through every possible channel, to understand their situation because, of course, if they don't play this match and then tell us they could have played it, they're going to be suspended for another match.

"It's Friday now, we play tomorrow , and we have to get the players traveling. Obviously, Jesus Owono won't be traveling because he's not training , but Efe Akman and Lautaro de Leon are traveling with us.

"It's Friday, the match is tomorrow, it's been two weeks since the Tenerife game, and we don't know if these players are suspended or not because if the Federation doesn't notify us, it means they can play. We're waiting to see what happens."

While Owono has now learned the length of his ban, it remains unknown as to whether the goalkeeper will return to football. Speaking about his situation, FC Andorra head coach Carles Manso said: "What we have to do is support him in every way and be close to him.

“We will give him space so that he feels completely free to make any ⁠decision, whether he wants to return, when, or if he does not want to return. When he feels it is appropriate and when he feels genuinely ready to take a decision ⁠like that."

Meanwhile, Tenerife, who held a memorial for De Miguel at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium last weekend, have committed to supporting his one-year-old daughter until she turns 18 following his heartbreaking death.

"We want to be there for her at least until she reaches adulthood," CEO Antonio Manuel Porro Granados told The Athletic.

"This is a commitment we have made at the initiative of our majority shareholder, Rayco Garcia, and one that we all fully support. We will provide the maximum possible support in every respect, beyond what we are legally obliged to provide.

"We are also exploring other ways of increasing the financial support, so that, at least in material terms, the circumstances do not affect their lives quite so much -- although, of course, it is impossible for them not to have an impact."

Reports in Spain claim the family will also receive base compensation of around €360,000 (£300,000) following De Miguel's death.