Spanish police have opened up a criminal investigation into Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono over the circumstances that led to the death of Tenerife player Jesus de Miguel.
Jesus died in hospital on 3 November, a day after the incident during a league fixture between the clubs. Owono had left his penalty area to challenge for an aerial ball when he collided with the Tenerife forward. The goalkeeper was sent off and the match was abandoned shortly afterwards.
The police in Spain are handling inquiries into the circumstances of the incident, with a possible charge of involuntary manslaughter. But this is standard practice under Spanish law. The opening of an investigation does not automatically mean criminal proceedings will follow.
The Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee has already given Owono a 12-game ban as punishment, the maximum suspension available under its regulations for offences involving violent conduct and injuring a player. Owono was also fined €600, while Andorra were ordered to pay €2,400. The committee said its decision was based on the referee’s account of the challenge.
“The assessment of the conduct under consideration in these proceedings must be based on the facts expressly recorded in the referee’s report, which states that the player was sent off for ‘violently striking an opponent in the chest with his leg, using excessive force, while the ball was in play,’” it said.
“The tragic outcome of the incident, resulting in the death of Jesus de Miguel, is public knowledge. In view of the nature of the conduct described and the accompanying circumstances … the maximum sanction, 12 matches of suspension, is justified.”
Owono, an Equatorial Guinea international, addressed the issue publicly in a statement released by Andorra after Jesus’s death. He described the period as the “hardest days of my life” and expressed his grief for the striker and his family.
“I feel immense pain over the loss of Jesus,” Owono said. “I think of him, of his family, and of all the people who loved him. I know there will be many issues to address and 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 going through. Rest in peace, Jesus.”
Andorra head coach Carles Manso said on Thursday that the decision about whether and when Owono returns to football would rest with the goalkeeper.
Jesus was remembered by Tenerife supporters and players at the club’s stadium last Saturday. His funeral took place on Thursday and was attended by about 400 mourners, including Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
