Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono 'is experiencing profound distress and anguish' after the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who suffered fatal injuries following a collision during a Spanish second-division match.
De Miguel sustained head and chest injuries after a challenge by Owono near the halfway line in the closing stages of Monday's match. Owono had sprinted from his goal to clear a long ball when his knee struck De Miguel's chest. The 30-year-old rolled on the floor immediately after impact but then lay motionless on his back as players urgently signalled for medical help.
Medical condition worsens
De Miguel's condition was initially described as 'stable, given the seriousness of the condition' on Monday night. However, Tenerife issued a second update in the early hours of Tuesday morning stating that his 'medical condition has deteriorated neurologically.' Later on Tuesday morning, the club announced that De Miguel had died in hospital.
Owono, who was sent off for the challenge, initially went to leave the pitch after his red card but turned back once the severity of De Miguel's situation became clear. The 25-year-old, who played for La Liga side Alaves last year and has made 47 appearances for Equatorial Guinea's national team, deleted his Instagram account after receiving abuse.
Abuse and support
According to Spanish radio station COPE, some supporters at the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez stadium shouted 'murderer' at Owono, and the goalkeeper is said to have been crying and praying in the dressing room after the match was abandoned.
Venancio Tomas Ndong Micha, president of the Equatorial Guinean Football Federation, issued his 'full solidarity and support' to Owono. 'It is with deep shock and immense sorrow that I have received the news of the tragic passing of your player, Jesus de Miguel. On behalf of the Equatorial Guinean Football Federation, and on my own behalf, I wish to express our most sincere and heartfelt condolences for this irreparable loss,' Ndong Micha said in a statement.
'Football is a family that, in moments like this, unites in grief. We wish to extend our deepest solidarity to his family, his teammates, the coaching staff, and all the blanquiazul (blue-and-white) fans, who are currently enduring a time of indescribable sadness. Furthermore, 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 federation offered Owono 'full personal and professional support, fully aware of the severity of this event—something no one in our sport ever wishes to witness.'
Investigation and suspensions
On Tuesday, police in Spain opened an investigation for possible involuntary manslaughter following De Miguel's death. Judicial authorities in the Canary Islands said it is a routine procedure, as any death deemed non-natural under Spanish law automatically triggers a judicial inquiry.
However, chief prosecutor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Jose Luis Sanchez-Jauregui, said it would be 'very difficult' for a criminal process to be opened as the collision occurred during the match. Speaking to Spanish news agency EFE, Sanchez-Jauregui explained that long-standing Spanish Supreme Court precedent distinguishes injuries sustained during a match from deliberate assaults committed when play is halted.
Sanchez-Jauregui added that the referee's report and the decision of the Sports Disciplinary Committee, which will determine whether Owono intended to cause harm with his challenge, will be considered before any legal action. On Tuesday afternoon, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced that all of its football competitions have been suspended until November 6.
