Andorra goalkeeper suspended 12 matches after De Miguel's death following collision in Spanish league

The Disciplinary Committee of the Spanish Football Federation suspended FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono for 12 matches, the maximum possible penalty, following his challenge that resulted in the death of Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel on 3 November.

The incident occurred in the Spanish second-division match on 2 November, when Owono rushed out of his goal towards midfield in an attempt to clear an aerial ball and collided with the 30-year-old de Miguel. The player was immediately taken to the intensive care unit and died the following day.

The disciplinary committee said in its statement that the referee's report established that the player was sent off for "striking his opponent violently in the chest with his leg, using excessive force, with the ball in play", adding: "The tragic outcome of the incident, namely the death of the late Jesús de Miguel, is public knowledge, and given the nature of the conduct and its circumstances, the maximum penalty of 12 matches is justified."

Spanish police sources told Agence France-Presse (AFP) last week that an investigation had been opened into the incident under judicial supervision. Owono, a 25-year-old goalkeeper for the Equatorial Guinea national team, withdrew from his country's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Zimbabwe this month.

Owono said in a statement published by his club that he was going through "the hardest days of his life", saying: "I feel a consuming pain over the passing of Jesús. I think of him, of his family and of everyone who loved him." FC Andorra coach Carles Manso confirmed that the decision to return to the pitch would be Owono's alone.

Tenerife and its fans held a farewell ceremony at the stadium, while around 400 people attended de Miguel's funeral last Thursday, among them Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez.