FC Andorra centre-back Lautaro Spatz has defended teammate and goalkeeper Jesus Owono on social media following his collision with Tenerife forward Jesus De Miguel on Monday, a collision that preceded De Miguel's death the following day.
Owono deactivated his Instagram account on Tuesday after receiving abuse online, with some users commenting "murderer" on his posts. Andorra said the club was offering psychological support to anyone who needed it following De Miguel's death.
Spatz said Owono had been deeply affected by the week's events. "I also want to say a few words about my teammate, goalkeeper and friend, who is deeply affected by what has happened," Spatz said on social media. "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."
"In football, unfortunate incidents can happen, but no one could imagine that one of them might end with such tragic consequences," Spatz continued, also sending his condolences to De Miguel's family and to Tenerife.
CD Tenerife said De Miguel died at the age of 30 after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The Equatoguinean Football Federation also issued a statement supporting Owono, saying the 25-year-old was going through a situation of profound sorrow and grief. Owono has made 47 international appearances for Equatorial Guinea.
Separately, Can Vidalet goalkeeper Michel Owono said on social media that he had been receiving racist abuse after being confused with the Andorra player.
Spanish national police have opened a routine investigation into De Miguel's death. A Santa Cruz de Tenerife prosecutor has previously said that criminal charges against Owono are "very unlikely," pending a report from the referee and an investigation by the Royal Spanish Football Federation's Disciplinary Committee.
