BILBAO, SPAIN – Jesús Owono of Deportivo Alaves looks on prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between Athletic Club and Deportivo Alaves. (Photo By Ricardo Larreina/Europa Press via Getty Images)
(Europa Press Sports via Getty Images)
The Spanish soccer federation has suspended Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono for 12 matches after he was issued a red card for the on-field collision with Jesús de Miguel that resulted in the Tenerife striker’s death.
“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’,” the committee said in a statement.
“The tragic outcome of the incident, resulting in the death of Jesús de Miguel Alameda, 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.”
de Miguel collided with Owono at midfield during the Nov. 2 match and suffered cardiac arrest. Owono was shown a red card and began walking off the pitch. de Miguel initially laid with his head and knees on the grass before turning onto his back. He then became motionless, resulting in an opposing player immediately calling to the sideline for help. Once Owono realized the severity of the situation, he stopped walking off the field and turned back to check on de Miguel.
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The match was suspended with the game tied 2-2. de Miguel was transferred to a hospital and was initially deemed “stable despite the severity of his condition,” Tenerife said in a statement after the game. Later in the day, however, the team said de Miguel’s condition had “worsened neurologically.”
The 30-year-old de Miguel died the next day.
Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter. Deaths via non-natural causes are open to investigation under Spanish law, according to the Associated Press. Prosecutors have reportedly said it is unlikely that there will be criminal proceedings.
In a statement after de Miguel’s death, Owono said he was experiencing the “hardest days of my life” and that he was having a difficult time processing what happened.
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“Right now, honestly, I cannot think of anything other than Jesús and the pain we are all experiencing,” Owono said. “Rest in peace, Jesús.”
Owono has yet to play since that match. Andorra manager Carles Manso said last week that the team is waiting on the goalkeeper to decide when he is ready to get back on the field.
“He is deeply affected by the situation,” Manso said. “We will give him the space to feel completely free to decide whether, and when, he might want to return.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
