Jesus Owono could face up to four years in prison after fatal collision

Home Home Latest News Latest News World Footaball World Footaball Ghana Players Abroad Ghana Players Abroad Ghana Premier League Ghana Premier League National Teams National Teams Videos Videos Black Stars Black Stars Transfer News & Rumours Transfer News & Rumours Kotoko Kotoko Hearts Of Oak Hearts Of Oak Jesus Owono could face up to four years in prison after fatal collision 04 November 2026 Share this with Email Share this with Facebook Share this with Twitter Share this with Whatsapp The death of Jesus de Miguel following his collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono in Tenerife’s 2-2 draw has led to both a police investigation and potential disciplinary action against the Equatorial Guinea international.

The incident occurred on Monday, 2 November, during the 12th round of Liga 2 at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez. In the final moments of added time, de Miguel chased a through ball towards goal as Owono left his penalty area to intercept it. The goalkeeper collided heavily with the Tenerife striker in midfield.

Owono was shown a straight red card and the match was stopped. The fixture was cancelled several hours later.

De Miguel suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest and was resuscitated in the ambulance before being taken to Nuestra Senora de Candelaria Hospital. The 30-year-old Spaniard’s neurological condition deteriorated overnight on Tuesday, 3 November, and he died at about 09:00 Paris time.

Football clubs, players and other figures from the game have offered their condolences to de Miguel’s family. According to Marca, Owono is “deeply affected”. He had initially intended to contact people close to the Tenerife forward to express his sympathy, but de Miguel’s death has further complicated an already difficult situation.

Owono has also faced a wave of abuse on social media, including being called an “assassin”. Comments were subsequently disabled on his profile.

The homicide group of the National Police in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is investigating the circumstances of the death, while a forensic institute has carried out an autopsy.

Brazilian outlet Trivela consulted Renan Gandolfi, a criminal law professor, about the possible consequences. Gandolfi said an investigation is standard procedure after a violent death and does not, by itself, mean that an offence has been alleged.

The authorities must establish exactly what happened using the forensic doctor’s findings, expert assessments, video footage, clinical reports and testimony from the referee, players and medical staff. The autopsy will help determine the medical link between the collision and de Miguel’s cardiorespiratory arrest.

“Football is a contact sport and athletes accept risks inherent to competition, but that does not justify every type of conduct or remove responsibility when the permitted risk is exceeded,” said Gandolfi.

He added that the distinction between “intent and negligence” would be crucial. “There is no evidence allowing Jesus Owono to be accused of intending to cause harm,” he said.

Referee Manuel Hernandez described the incident in his match report as “the use of excessive force while the ball was being contested”, the reason given for Owono’s dismissal. Owono may be questioned by the authorities in the presence of a lawyer. An investigating judge will decide whether there are grounds for a criminal case; without evidence of an offence, the file must be closed.

Sportingly, the RFEF is expected to open disciplinary proceedings for dangerous play or violent conduct. Article 102 allows a suspension of one to 12 matches, with the disciplinary body deciding the punishment. The maximum sanction is considered likely.

If prosecutors pursue a case for negligent homicide, Owono could face Article 142 of the Spanish Penal Code. Less serious negligence carries a fine of three to 18 months, while gross negligence can lead to one to four years in prison. Any conviction could be appealed.

Gandolfi said such cases “generally take months, or even years”, adding that the medical cause of de Miguel’s death remains unknown and will affect any decision on liability. Owono is expected to be protected by his club during the investigation to prevent reprisals when he returns after serving his sporting suspension.