The committee quoted the referee’s report describing a challenge in which Owono struck an opponent “in the chest with his leg, using excessive force, while the ball was in play”. Twelve matches is the maximum open to the panel under the disciplinary code for the conduct described, and the ruling was issued on Friday, ten days after de Miguel’s death.

Owono, a 25-year-old Equatorial Guinea international, had rushed off his line during a Segunda División match between FC Andorra and CD Tenerife on 2 November when he collided with the Tenerife forward chasing a long ball. De Miguel, 30, suffered a cardiac arrest in the ambulance to hospital and died the following morning.

The panel classified the challenge as a serious infraction and applied the heaviest sanction available to it. The decision closes the sporting disciplinary track. A police investigation under judicial supervision remains open, although reports in Spain suggest Owono is unlikely to face criminal charges.

‘The hardest days of my life’

In a statement issued through FC Andorra after the death, Owono said he was living through “the hardest days of my life” and that the loss of a fellow professional “pains me infinitely”.

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The Equatorial Guinea Football Federation president, Tomas Micha, offered Owono the governing body’s “full human and professional backing” and acknowledged “the harshness of this event” in a message of support to its international.

Owono wants to speak to the family

Owono has asked FC Andorra to help him make personal contact with de Miguel’s relatives, through a letter, a phone call or a visit to Toledo, according to Spanish daily Marca as cited by beIN Sports. CD Tenerife has asked for more time, out of respect for the family’s grieving process; no contact has yet taken place.

Andorra manager Carles Manso has said the player himself will decide whether and when he returns to football.

“We have to give him space so he feels completely free to make whatever decision he wants, whether to return or not, whenever he feels ready,” Manso told beIN Sports.

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Funeral in Navahermosa

De Miguel was buried on 5 November at the San Miguel Arcángel church in Navahermosa, his hometown in the province of Toledo. Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez and Atlético Madrid CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín were among the mourners.

Owono’s suspension applies immediately. The criminal investigation remains open.

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