Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono has been suspended for 12 matches by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following a collision with Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel, who died from cardiac arrest the day after the incident.
The RFEF’s disciplinary committee announced the punishment Friday, classifying the challenge as a serious offense under Article 102 of its disciplinary code and imposing the maximum available suspension.
In its ruling, the committee pointed to the way Owono entered the challenge with his leg raised and the excessive force involved in the impact. It also noted that De Miguel required medical attention on the field before being taken away on a stretcher.
The collision occurred on Nov. 2 during a Spanish second-division match in Tenerife. De Miguel, 30, was pursuing a high ball in midfield when Owono rushed out of his penalty area and struck him in the chest. The forward suffered cardiac arrest and died the following day.
The match was abandoned with the score tied 2-2, and the incident sent shockwaves through Spanish soccer.
Owono has stayed away from training as he deals with the aftermath of the tragedy. He has also expressed a desire to speak with De Miguel’s family.
Andorra president Gerard Piqué had publicly called on the federation to clarify disciplinary decisions involving several players. Owono’s case was among the pending matters, although the RFEF’s ruling focused on the circumstances of the fatal collision.
Andorra coach Carles Manso has said the club will allow Owono to decide when he feels ready to return to football.