FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has issued his first statement following the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, saying he is enduring 'the most difficult days of my life'. The 30-year-old forward died in hospital on Tuesday after a challenge from Owono during Monday's Spanish second division match between the two clubs.
Collision and hospitalisation
De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest after Owono sprinted from his goal towards the halfway line and struck the striker in the chest with his knee while attempting to clear the ball. Tenerife described De Miguel's condition as 'stable' on Monday night, but a second update in the early hours of Tuesday said his 'medical condition has deteriorated neurologically'.
De Miguel died later on Tuesday morning. Police in Spain have opened an investigation for possible involuntary manslaughter.
Owono's statement
In his first remarks since the incident, Owono said he will 'face whatever comes with the utmost respect'.
'These are the most difficult days of my life. I'm struggling to find the words and finding it very hard to process what has happened,' Owono said. 'I feel immense pain at the loss of Jesus. I'm thinking of him, his family, and all the people who loved him.'
'I know there will be many issues to address, and I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect. But right now, honestly, I can't think of anything other than Jesus and the pain we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesus.'
FC Andorra added at the end of the statement: 'FC Andorra requests the utmost sensitivity and respect.'
Support from national team and teammate
On Tuesday, Owono received backing from his national team, Equatorial Guinea. Venancio Tomas Ndong Micha, president of the Equatorial Guinean Football Federation, said: 'I feel it is necessary to convey our full solidarity and support at this time to our player, Jesus Lazaro Owono.'
'We know that, as an involuntary participant in this fatal incident during the match, he is experiencing this situation with profound distress and anguish. The Equatorial Guinean Football Federation offers him our full personal and professional support, fully aware of the severity of this event—something no one in our sport ever wishes to witness.'
FC Andorra defender Lautaro Spatz, who helped carry De Miguel off the pitch on a stretcher, also defended Owono, insisting his teammate would 'never intentionally hurt anyone'. Writing on Instagram, Spatz said: 'There are moments when football stops making sense. Moments that stay with you forever and make you realise just how fragile life can be.'
Spatz added: 'I would also like to say a few words about my team-mate, goalkeeper and friend, who has been deeply affected by what happened. Those of us who know him know what kind of person he is, how much he is suffering at this moment, and that he would never intentionally hurt anyone. In football, accidents happen, but nobody could ever imagine that one of them could lead to such tragic consequences. Today, football doesn't matter. All that matters is standing together in grief, showing the utmost respect and sending all our strength to the family and everyone suffering from this terrible loss. Rest in peace, Demi.'
