Chances of prosecution for the goalkeeper after fatal collision are very small: 'Bar in football is much higher'

Serious incidents in football, both amateur and professional, often lead to severe injuries, yet legal actions are rare due to high liability thresholds. Sports lawyer Dolf Segaar explains that many actions on the field would not be tolerated in other contexts without liability. In Spain, an investigation is ongoing into the death of player De Miguel, involving goalkeeper Owono, although this does not imply suspicion. A notable case in the Netherlands involved Rachid Bouaouzan, who received a conditional prison sentence for a dangerous tackle that ended Niels Kokmeijer's career. The complexity of such cases is highlighted by differing expert opinions on whether certain actions fall within the risk of the game. Owono's actions have sparked global outrage, but legal repercussions seem unlikely due to the nature of the incident occurring during play. The focus now shifts to De Miguel's family as they prepare for his funeral.