FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono says he is enduring ‘the most difficult days of my life’ following the death of the Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel.
The 30-year-old died in hospital on Tuesday following a challenge from Owono during FC Andorra’s game against Tenerife in the Spanish second division on Monday.
De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest after Owono had sprinted from his goal towards the halfway line and struck the Tenerife striker in the chest with his knee as he attempted to clear the ball.
After being taken to hospital, Tenerife described De Miguel’s condition as ‘stable’ on Monday night but the club issued a second update in the early hours of Tuesday morning which said that his ‘medical condition has deteriorated neurologically.’
De Miguel died later on Tuesday morning, while police in Spain have opened an investigation for possible involuntary manslaughter.
In his first statement since De Miguel’s death, Owono says 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.’
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The club added at the end of the statement: ‘FC Andorra requests the utmost sensitivity and respect.’
On Tuesday, Owono received support from his national team, Equatorial Guinea, following De Miguel’s death.
Venancio Tomas Ndong Micha, the 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.
‘We share in your mourning and remain entirely at your disposal. Please accept our deepest respect and support during these most difficult times.’
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’.
‘There are moments when football stops making sense. Moments that stay with you forever and make you realise just how fragile life can be. What we have experienced is something none of us will ever forget. A tragedy that has left us completely heartbroken, speechless and with a sadness that is difficult to put into words,’ Spatz wrote on Instagram.
‘First of all, I would like to express my most sincere condolences and send all my love to the family, friends and loved ones of Jesus, as well as to the entire Chicharrera fanbase and the football community.
‘Since yesterday, the entire FC Andorra squad has been shocked, devastated and deeply affected by what has happened. It is a tragedy that we could never have imagined experiencing on a football pitch.
‘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.’
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Goalkeeper Jesus Owono issues first statement after death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel | Football
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