FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has described experiencing the “most difficult days of my life” in a statement released by the club on Wednesday, following the death of Tenerife forward Jesus De Miguel.
The 30-year-old De Miguel passed away on Tuesday morning after a collision with Owono during a La Liga Hypermotion match on Monday. Owono was dismissed for the challenge, which occurred as he raced from his goal, and De Miguel subsequently suffered a cardiac arrest after being admitted to intensive care.
“These are the most difficult days of my life,” Owono said. “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. But right now, honestly, I cannot think about anything other than Jesus and the pain we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesus.”
Owono deactivated his Instagram account on Tuesday after receiving online abuse. FC Andorra confirmed they are providing psychological support to anyone at the club who requires it.
Andorra centre-back Lautaro Spatz defended his teammate on Tuesday evening. “I also want to say a few words about my team-mate, goalkeeper and friend, who is deeply affected by what has happened,” Spatz wrote 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 also extended condolences to De Miguel’s family and Tenerife.
The Equatoguinean Football Federation expressed support for Owono, noting the 25-year-old, who has 47 international caps, is enduring “profound sorrow and grief.” Meanwhile, Can Vidalet goalkeeper Michel Owono reported receiving racist abuse on social media from individuals confusing him with the Andorra player.
Spanish national police have opened a routine investigation into De Miguel’s death. Fans gathered at Tenerife’s Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez stadium to lay tributes, with the club declaring six days of official mourning.
Tributes were paid to Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel outside the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez Stadium in Santa Cruz
A memorial service will be held at the stadium on Saturday evening, with supporters invited to attend. Tuesday’s domestic Spanish fixtures were postponed as a mark of respect, though Champions League matches proceeded, including Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at the Nou Camp. A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off.
Speaking to CBS Sports afterwards, Barcelona forward Raphinha declined to discuss the match. “I want to send a lot of strength to the family of Jesus. Today I’m not going to talk about football. For me, the truth is it was quite difficult (to play). After seeing the news, of course I didn’t have good feelings. He’s a fellow player and it could have happened to anyone, it could have happened to me. He was the same age as me, I don’t know if that’s why it affected me more. It’s been a difficult day. Personally, it touched me a lot.”
Arsenal also observed a minute’s silence at their training session. Manager Mikel Arteta described the situation as “absolutely heartbreaking. Watching back the action, the incident, what happened, to see a colleague lose his life in such a manner, it’s beyond any words that I can put today. So, on behalf of everybody at the club, we want to send our condolences to the family of Jesus de Miguel, all his loved ones, and to Tenerife as well because it’s been a really difficult day.”
The Tenerife match was suspended following the incident, which occurred in stoppage time, with distressed players calling for immediate medical attention. A statement from Tenerife read: “We stand alongside his devastated family, alongside his loved ones… that today weep for this cruel outcome.”
Andorra released their own statement on Tuesday evening expressing deep shock and offering “most sincere condolences to his family, CD Tenerife and all those who were close to him. We know that no words can ease such pain, but we want them to know that we are by their side and that we deeply share their sadness.”
