Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Oono given 12-match ban after challenge on Tenerife’s Jesus de Miguel

Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Oono has been suspended for 12 matches after the challenge on Tenerife player Jesus de Miguel which led to his injury and death, according to Spanish newspaper AS.

Oono was sent off during the match after striking de Miguel with a high leg. The Tenerife forward was injured in the incident and died the following day.

The Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee ruled that Oono had committed a serious offence under Article 102 of its disciplinary regulations. Additional fines were also imposed under Article 52.

Article 102 allows for a suspension of between four and 12 matches when a player uses violent conduct against an opponent during play and the incident causes serious or harmful consequences.

The committee imposed the maximum punishment because it considered the challenge to have involved particular danger. Its decision referred to the way the tackle was made, the height of Oono’s leg and the force of the collision, which the referee described as excessive while the ball was in play.

It also said Jesus de Miguel’s death was a publicly known tragedy and concluded that the seriousness of the incident justified the highest sanction available under the regulations.

The committee did not classify the incident as an intentional assault. Such a finding could have resulted in a more severe punishment. Instead, it relied on the referee’s report, which stated that Oono had been dismissed for hitting his opponent with a raised leg and excessive force during play.

Support for Oono

Andorra are supporting Oono as he deals with the difficult psychological impact of the incident. The club is helping the goalkeeper remain calm and manage the period following de Miguel’s death.

People close to Oono have closed his social media accounts after he received a large number of insults and threats. They have also kept him away from his mobile phone. The goalkeeper is not currently taking part in the team’s training sessions.

Andorra have 10 working days to appeal against the punishment to the Appeals Committee. However, the club does not intend to challenge the decision and will accept the suspension imposed on its goalkeeper.

Andorra and Tenerife return to action at the weekend. Andorra play Almeria on Saturday, while Tenerife host Ceuta on Sunday.