FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has learned his punishment after he was sent off in an incident that eventually led to the death of CD Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel.
Tenerife and Andorra met in a Spanish Segunda Division match on November 2, but the match had to be abandoned in stoppage time after De Miguel suffered a serious injury.
The striker was looking to run onto a long ball over the top when he was met by Owono in a horrific collision. Despite making it to hospital, De Miguel’s death was confirmed the next morning.
Owono was sent off for the challenge, but immediately showed his panic when he realised the severity of De Miguel’s injury. The 25-year-old is reported to be struggling with the incident, which saw his fellow player die at just 30 years of age.
Spanish police opened an investigation into involuntary manslaughter, but it is believed Owono is unlikely to face legal action. He has, however, now been handed a lengthy ban from football.
According to Marca, the goalkeeper will now serve a 12-match suspension for his part in the tragic event. The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) released the following statement:
“The Disciplinary Committee, as an independent body within the federation’s structure, has agreed to suspend Jesús Lázaro Ferrer Owono, a player for FC Andorra, for twelve matches for his actions during the CD Tenerife – FC Andorra match. Twelve matches is the maximum penalty allowed by the Disciplinary Code for the events described in the referee’s report.
“The referee’s report is the only document in the disciplinary proceedings file, and the Committee must determine the sanction based solely on this information. The report describes a violent action, with the leg raised and excessive force used, while the ball was in play. In light of these circumstances, the Committee has determined that the events fall under Article 102 of the Disciplinary Code.
“Furthermore, the subsequent consequences of the action, which are also documented in the referee’s report and are public knowledge, have been taken into account to increase the sanction to the maximum level permitted by the regulations. Under no circumstances may the Committee exceed the threshold expressly stipulated in the applicable article.
“The decision of the Disciplinary Committee may be appealed to the RFEF Appeals Committee within ten working days.”
More to follow.
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