Jesús de Miguel death: What goalkeeper Owono could face

Spanish football is mourning the death of Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel, who died following a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a Spanish second-division match.

While tributes continue for the 30-year-old striker, attention has also turned to the possible consequences Owono could face, including sporting disciplinary measures and potential criminal proceedings.

The Equatorial Guinea international is reportedly deeply shaken by the incident and affected by De Miguel’s death. He has also faced abuse on social media, where some users have insulted him and labelled him a “murderer.” However, the tragic outcome does not, by itself, establish that Owono committed an offence.

The collision happened on Monday during Tenerife’s match against Andorra. De Miguel was chasing a long ball near the halfway line as his team searched for a late winner when Owono rushed out of his penalty area to clear the ball. The goalkeeper’s knee struck the forward in the chest, leaving him injured on the pitch.

De Miguel received medical attention for more than five minutes before being taken to hospital by ambulance. Owono was shown a red card, and the match was abandoned in the seventh minute of stoppage time with the score at 2-2. Spanish media later reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest during the ambulance journey and was revived by paramedics. His condition deteriorated overnight, and Tenerife confirmed his death on Tuesday.

According to the Times of India, Article 102 provides for a suspension of between four and 12 matches when a player commits violent conduct against an opponent during play and causes serious injury or harm. The provision could be considered in assessing Owono’s challenge, although its application is not automatic.

Disciplinary authorities would have to examine the nature of the challenge, Owono’s actions and the circumstances surrounding the collision before deciding whether Article 102 applies. De Miguel’s death does not automatically mean the goalkeeper will receive the maximum 12-match suspension.

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Any final sporting sanction would be determined by the relevant disciplinary body after reviewing the available evidence. Criminal proceedings, if considered, would follow a separate legal process and should not be confused with the sporting investigation or the grief surrounding De Miguel’s death.