Tenerife manager Alvaro Cervera has stated that goalkeeper Jesus Owono’s 12-match ban “might feel light,” though he accepts that existing regulations do not specifically address the tragic events that occurred.
The Incident and Disciplinary Ruling
Jesus Owono, the 25-year-old goalkeeper for FC Andorra, received a red card following a collision with Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel during the final moments of a Spanish second-tier match on November 2. De Miguel tragically passed away the following day at the age of 30, and the Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee confirmed Owono’s suspension on Friday.
The suspension represents the maximum penalty possible under current rules, as the disciplinary committee was restricted to evaluating the on-field offense rather than taking the tragic outcome into account. Cervera noted ahead of his team’s match against Ceuta that rules must be followed, adding that the committee simply adhered to the maximum permitted matches because current regulations do not account for what took place.
The disciplinary committee explained that its decision relied strictly on the facts detailed in the referee’s report. The report recorded that Owono was dismissed for using excessive force to violently strike an opponent in the chest with his leg while the ball remained in play.
Coping With the Tragedy
Cervera, 61, described the team’s return to training and preparation as a difficult and complicated experience. He noted that while the group appears to be doing well and progressing slowly during training sessions together, it remains unclear how individuals cope when they are apart.
The manager expressed uncertainty over whether his squad members are fully prepared to resume playing matches, explaining that some players welcome a distraction while others struggle to find the right frame of mind. He emphasized that both viewpoints are entirely reasonable under the circumstances.
Players are attempting to find a sense of normalcy, Cervera noted, even though true normalcy is currently out of reach. He described the situation as an inescapable presence that cannot simply be pushed aside to focus on work, yet the team must continue moving forward.
