Tragedy Strikes in the 97th Minute
FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono collided violently with Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel during a Segunda División match, resulting in the player’s death from cardiac arrest the following day.
The incident took place in the 97th minute of a 2-2 draw as De Miguel chased a long clearance near midfield, Reforma reported.
Owono, a native of Equatorial Guinea who has performed internationally with his national team, impacted Jesús de Miguel’s chest with his knee, leaving the forward unconscious before he was transferred to the hospital. Owono is under investigation following the fatality.
Immediate Red Card and Legal Debate
Match referee Manuel Ángel Pérez immediately expelled Owono for serious foul play and suspended the fixture.
Sharply Divided Opinions on the Goalkeeper’s Intent
Former striker Enrique Borja stated that goalkeepers should never exit their area with excessive force, describing the challenge as a suicidal play to cover space.
Sale a despejar, a pegarle a la pelota, creo yo que nunca sale a lastimar,
Borja told Reforma regarding Owono’s intent during the collision.
Conversely, former goalkeeper Adrián Chávez argued that Owono sought the ball rather than the opposing player, noting that the contact was accidental.
Que no pongan en tela de juicio algo así porque realmente no sales con la intención de lastimar a un compañero de profesión,
Chávez told Reforma.
Criminal Prosecution Remains Unlikely Despite Investigation
International sports law expert Elías Hurtado noted that although an official investigation is underway, criminal prosecution remains unlikely because the incident occurred during regular competitive play.
Es un tema de responsabilidad civil. Se está investigando si se excedió el ámbito deportivo,
Hurtado told Reforma, adding that courts typically evaluate the conduct rather than the tragic outcome under sporting rules.
Trauma, Guilt, and Historical Parallels
Sports psychologist Margarita Cerviño warned that Owono faces severe trauma, guilt, and anxiety following the incident, requiring specialized clinical support.
Una situación así suele impactar de manera brutal en el deportista. Se buscan culpables aunque de ninguna manera haya sido algo voluntario,
Cerviño told Reforma.
The tragedy echoes past on-field goalkeeper collisions, including Harald Schumacher’s 1982 World Cup challenge on Patrick Battiston and José Antonio Gallardo’s fatal December 1986 head injury in Spain’s Segunda División, where the Málaga goalkeeper attempted to win the ball in the area against Celta forward Baltazar, left the field concussed with a right parietal fissure, and was discharged shortly after.
Investigations into the Tenerife-Andorra match continue as football authorities review safety protocols for high-speed challenges outside the penalty area.
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