Owono issues first statement after on-field collision that left Tenerife forward De Miguel dead
FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono made his first public statement on Wednesday after a collision during Monday’s Spanish second-division match with Tenerife that resulted in the death of Tenerife forward Jesus De Miguel; Owono also deactivated his Instagram account amid a wave of online abuse. He described the period following the incident as the most difficult of his life.
The incident occurred in stoppage time of a match that was level at 2-2, when Owono and De Miguel collided near the halfway line. De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest, was resuscitated in the ambulance, admitted to intensive care and died on Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m. local time at Hospital Nuestra Seora de Candelaria; he was 30. The collision led to Owono being sent off, the match being abandoned and CD Tenerife releasing a statement reading “Rotos de dolor No hay palabras de consuelo.” The family has asked for privacy.
Owono, 25, issued a statement released by FC Andorra on Wednesday in which he said: "These are the most difficult days of my life. I struggle to find the words, and it is very hard for me to process what has happened," Owono said. "I feel an immense amount of pain over the loss of Jesus. My thoughts are with him, his family and everyone who loved him. I know there will be many questions to address, and I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect. But right now, honestly, I cannot think about anything other than Jesus and the pain we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesus."
Owono deactivated his Instagram account after a wave of online abuse following the incident, with some users reportedly posting comments that included calling the goalkeeper a "murderer." The Equatorial Guinea international has made 47 appearances for his country.
FC Andorra team-mate Lautaro Spatz publicly defended Owono and paid tribute to De Miguel in a social media post. Spatz wrote: "I also want to say a few words about my teammate, goalkeeper and friend, who is deeply affected by what has happened. Those of us who know him know the kind of person he is, how much he is suffering at this moment, and that he would never intentionally hurt anyone," adding: "In football, unfortunate incidents can happen, but no one could imagine that one of them might end with such tragic consequences." He added: "Today, football is irrelevant. The only thing that remains is to share the pain, express our deepest respect and send our support to the family and everyone suffering from this terrible loss."
FC Andorra have offered psychological support to members of the club affected by the tragedy, and the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation expressed its backing for Owono, acknowledging the profound grief he was experiencing following the incident.
Spanish National Police are examining the circumstances surrounding De Miguel’s death as a possible involuntary manslaughter, an investigation that the authorities say is a standard procedure following deaths classified as non-natural in Spain.
