Alvaro Cervera, manager of CD Tenerife, has expressed that goalkeeper Jesus Owono’s 12-match suspension “might feel light” following the tragic death of his forward, Jesus de Miguel. Speaking ahead of Tenerife’s match against Ceuta, Cervera accepted that the Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee was bound by regulations that do not “specifically account for what happened” off the pitch. The 25-year-old Owono, who plays for FC Andorra, was sent off after colliding with de Miguel during the closing stages of their La Liga 2 encounter on November 3.
Manager acknowledges regulatory limits after tragic death of Jesus de Miguel
De Miguel, 30, succumbed to his injuries the following day, marking a somber turning point for the Spanish second division. The disciplinary committee confirmed Owono’s suspension on Friday, noting it was the maximum punishment permissible under current rules. The panel clarified that their jurisdiction was limited to the on-pitch offense, meaning they could not factor in the “tragic outcome of the incident” when determining the length of the ban. This legal distinction has sparked debate regarding the adequacy of existing disciplinary frameworks in the face of fatal accidents.
Cervera, who has led Tenerife since 2024, emphasized the necessity of adhering to established laws while acknowledging the emotional weight of the situation. “I think that, just as in other areas of life, there are rules or laws that must be followed,” he stated. The upcoming fixture against Ceuta represents the club’s first competitive match since the tragedy, serving as a poignant moment for the squad and supporters as they navigate the complex intersection of sporting rules and human loss.
Source: BBC Sport
