Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono has spoken publicly for the first time since the death of Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel, who died after going into cardiac arrest following a collision between the two players during a 2-2 draw on Monday. The match was abandoned after Owono received a red card for the challenge.
Owono, a 25-year-old Equatorial Guinea international who had recently closed his Instagram account because of the level of abuse he was receiving, issued a statement on Wednesday via Sky News. "These are the most difficult days of my life," he wrote. "I struggle to find the words, and I find it very hard to process what has happened. I know there will be many questions to address, and I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect."
He added, "But right now, honestly, I cannot think about anything other than Jesús and the pain we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesús."
Local authorities have confirmed that a routine investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter has been opened, noting that any potentially unnatural death automatically triggers a judicial inquiry under Spanish law. According to The Mirror, Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor Jose Luis Sanchez-Jauregui said the likelihood of any criminal proceedings against Owono is low.
Andorra teammate Lautaro Spatz also shared a message on Instagram offering condolences and defending Owono's character, writing that it was not in him to "intend to hurt anyone." Spatz described the incident as "a tragedy that has left us completely broken, speechless, and with a sadness that is difficult to explain," and said the entire FC Andorra squad has been "shocked, devastated, and deeply affected" since the collision. He added that those who know Owono understand "the kind of person he is" and that he "would never intend to hurt anyone," before closing with condolences to De Miguel's family, friends and the Tenerife community.
