The goalkeeper involved in the collision that killed Spanish footballer Jesus de Miguel has been hit with a 12-match ban – but may never return to the game.  

FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been hit with the sanction after a horrifying foul with Tenerife’s De Miguel earlier this month.

Owono was sent off and the match was abandoned with De Miguel, 30, admitted to intensive care, where he later died. 

The goalkeeper was subjected to chants of ‘murderer’ by Tenerife supporters and retreated from public view amid the significant backlash.

Now his manager Carles Manso has said: ‘We will ​give him space so that he feels completely free to make ‌any ⁠decision, whether he wants to return, when, or if he does not want to return.

‘When he feels it is appropriate and when ​he feels genuinely ready to take a ​decision ⁠like that [he will do so].

‘What we have to do is support him in every way and be close to ​him.’

Earlier this month, Owono issued a statement describing his ‘enormous pain’ following the tragic on-field collision. 

Owono said: ‘These are being the most difficult days of my life. I am struggling to find the words and find it very difficult to assimilate anything that has happened. 

‘I feel an enormous pain for the loss of Jesús. I think of him, his family, and everyone who loved him. I know there will be many issues to address; I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect. 

‘But right now, honestly, I cannot think of anything else except Jesús and the pain we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesus.’

The tragedy occurred as the game entered the seventh minute of stoppage time, when De Miguel looked set to race away on the counter-attack for Tenerife in search of a winner.

As he watched a long ball drop into his path, the striker was struck in the chest by Owono’s flying knee as he attempted to clear the ball near the halfway line.

After initially rolling around on the floor, De Miguel became motionless, and medical staff rushed onto the pitch to attend to him.

Owono was initially given a red card for the challenge before the decision was soon taken by the referee to abandon the fixture. 

De Miguel was seen to for over five minutes while his team-mates were visibly distressed, with some appearing to be in tears.

The stadium had been in complete silence while De Miguel was being treated, but as he was taken off the pitch the striker was given a standing ovation by the crowd.

He had become a father just last year, and according to El Espanol, his wife and baby daughter were watching in the stands as the fatal incident occurred. 

After being taken to an ambulance on a stretcher, there is believed to have been an approximate 15-minute wait before they made their way to the hospital. 

De Miguel is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest while being transported to hospital and had to be revived inside the ambulance, according to Spanish media outlet Marca.

Spanish newspaper AS reported that De Miguel’s team-mates had travelled to hospital after he had been taken to intensive care.

In a statement, CD Tenerife confirmed the striker’s death, saying: ‘Broken with pain, with a lump in our throat and unable to believe that this is true, from CD Tenerife we communicate the tragic death, this Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., of Jesus de Miguel Alameda.’

‘There are no words of comfort; There is absolutely nothing to mitigate this feeling full of sadness. 

‘We are with his devastated family, with his loved ones, with all the people of Tenerife who today mourn this cruel outcome. 

‘The family of Jesus de Miguel is grateful for each and every one of the expressions of support received, and also requests, from the bottom of its heart, maximum respect for his privacy, in these terrible moments.’ 

More to follow.