Spanish football has been left in mourning following the death of Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel after a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a Spanish second-division fixture.
While tributes continue to pour in for the 30-year-old striker, attention has also turned to the possible consequences facing Owono, including potential disciplinary sanctions and legal action.
The Equatorial Guinea international is reportedly struggling to come to terms with the incident and has been deeply affected by De Miguel’s death.
Owono has also faced abuse on social media, where some users have targeted him with personal insults and described him as a “murderer.”
However, the tragic outcome of the collision does not automatically establish that the goalkeeper committed an offence. Any sporting or legal action will depend on an examination of the challenge, the circumstances surrounding it and the applicable regulations.
The disciplinary process and any potential criminal proceedings are separate matters and must be considered independently of the grief surrounding De Miguel’s death.
The incident 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 winning goal when Owono rushed out of his penalty area to clear it.
The goalkeeper collided with the forward, making contact with his chest using his knee. De Miguel immediately fell to the ground and received medical attention on the pitch for more than five minutes before being taken to hospital by ambulance.
Owono was sent off following the incident, while the match was abandoned in the seventh minute of stoppage time with the score level at 2-2.
Spanish media reports indicated that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest while being transported to hospital and had to be revived by medical personnel inside the ambulance.
His condition reportedly deteriorated overnight, with Tenerife confirming his death on Tuesday.
According to the Times of India, Article 102 provides for suspensions ranging from four to 12 matches for players found guilty of violent conduct against an opponent during play that results in serious injury or harm.
The regulation could become relevant in the assessment of Owono’s challenge, although its application is not automatic.
The disciplinary authorities would first have to review the goalkeeper’s actions, the nature of the collision and the surrounding circumstances before determining whether the provision applies and what punishment, if any, should follow.
De Miguel’s death does not automatically mean Owono will receive the maximum 12-match suspension. The final decision will depend on the evidence considered by the relevant disciplinary authorities.
